Cheetahs limp into Loftus
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Free State Cheetahs have revealed their side that will face the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.
The Cheetahs had a bye last week and will head to Pretoria to open their Currie Cup campaign against a desperate Blue Bulls team after their 5-20 defeat to the Western Province last weekend.
The Bloemfontein are missing some key players courtesy of injuries and international Test.
Oupa Mohoje (knee), Aidon Davis (broken leg), Justin Basson (knee), Ali Mgijima (Achilles), Luan de Bruin (neck), Malcolm Jaer (Groin) and Daniel Maartens (ankle) are not eligible for team selection due to injuries while Ruben de Haas is on international duty with the United States of America.
In teams of the matchday team, the pack features Pro14 star Ox Nche, while Joseph Dweba and Aranos Coetzee complete the front row.
Sintu Manjezi and Walt Steenkamp will be the lock pairing. The Loose trio sees Junior Pokomela at No.6 partnering with Abongile Nonkontwana and Henco Venter, who will don the No.8 jersey.
Tian Meyer and Tian Schoeman is the halfback duo. In the middle Dries Swanepoel and formers SHarks back Benhard Janse van Rensburg slots in as the centre pair.
The two wings are Rabz Maxwane and William Small-Smith, while Louis Fouche is at fullback.
Leading the team is scrumhalf, Meyer.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Louis Fouche, 14 William Small-Smith, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Dries Swanepoel, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Tian Meyer (captain), 8 Henco Venter, 7 Abongile Nonkontwana, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Reinach Venter, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Gerhard Olivier, 22 Dian Badenhorst, 23 Darren Adonis.
Date: Friday, July 19
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.15 (17.15 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Christopher Allison
TMO: Joey Klaaste-Salmans
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