Big milestone as Frans Steyn switches it up for Sharks
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs head coach Frans Steyn has named his team to face the Sharks XV in their Currie Cup Round Two clash at Toyota Stadium on Friday.
Friday’s fixture marks a special milestone for fullback Clayton Blommetjies, who will make his 150th appearance for the Cheetahs in a side showing several changes following the defeat to the Lions in the opening round.
*Also read: Sharks change two for Cheetahs showdown
In the backline, Prince Nkabinde gets a start on the left wing. He replaces Michael Annies, who shifts to the right wing in place of Cohen Jasper.
Munier Hartzenberg and Zander du Plessis retain their places in midfield, while experienced campaigners Jaco van der Walt and Faf de Klerk continue at flyhalf and scrumhalf, respectively.
The loose trio of captain Neels Volschenk, Juan Venter and Ramon Uys remain unchanged, while Curtley Thomas comes into the second row to partner with Victor Sekekete.
There are also a couple of changes on the bench, with the Cheetahs opting for a 6-2 split.
Aranos Coetzee, Marko Janse van Rensburg and Tielman Niewoudt retain their places in the front row.
Tebogo Nkosi, Ben Pitoit, Sisonke Vumazonke, Marco Janse van Vuren and Henry Immelman are the new faces among the replacements.
Blommetjies made his debut for the Free State side in 2014 and has since become one of the union’s most loyal servants. His 150 appearances comprise 29 Super Rugby matches (his 10 appearances for the Central Cheetahs franchise, consisting of the Cheetahs, Griquas and Griffons, are not included as official Cheetahs caps), 71 Currie Cup matches, 25 PRO14 matches, five Super Rugby Unlocked matches, three Franchise Cup matches, 11 SA Cup matches, one international fixture against Georgia, three Toyota Challenge matches and one EPCR Challenge Cup match.
Reflecting on the milestone, Blommetjies said: “Free State is home.
“This is where everything started for me. I love the brand of rugby we play here – running rugby. It’s the type of rugby I grew up with in the Boland. It is a privilege and an honour to run onto the field for my 150th game for the Cheetahs.
“But this game is not about me. Our focus is to go out there, earn the five points, build momentum and continue preparing for the second leg of the Toyota Challenge and the EPCR Challenge Cup later this year.”
Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Neels Volschenk (captain), 7 Juan Venter, 6 Ramon Uys, 5 Curtley Thomas, 4 Victor Sekekete, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Tielman Niewoudt.
Replacements: 16 Juan Smal, 17 Tebogo Nkosi, 18 Ben Pitoit, 19 Simon Muller, 20 Sisonke Vumazonke, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Marco Janse van Vuren, 23 Henry Immelman.
Date: Friday, July 24
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17.00 SAST (15.00 GMT)
Referee: Hanru van Rooyen
Assistant referees: Dylen November, Sean Muller
TMO: Marius Jonker
