Cheetahs make wholesale changes for Bulls XV showdown
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn has named his team to face the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Sunday.
After their impressive win over the Stormers in Cape Town, the Cheetahs head into the Round Five clash against the Bulls as favourites.
With three rounds remaining before the semifinals, every log point is becoming increasingly valuable as teams battle for a place in the Currie Cup playoffs.
A win will see the Cheetahs move to the top of the log, should Griquas suffer a defeat to Sharks XV in Kimberley.
Steyn has made wholesale changes to the starting XV for Sunday’s encounter, with five changes in the pack and four in the backline.
In the front row, Juan Smal comes in at hooker, replacing Marko Janse van Rensburg, while Aranos Coetzee is the new face at tighthead.
Arno van der Merwe joins Victor Sekekete in the second row.
Captain Neels Volschenk is the only player who retains his spot in the loose trio. He is joined by Simon Miller and Daniel Maartens.
In the backline, Cohen Jasper replaces Clayton Blommetjies, while Jooste Nel comes in for Marco Jansen van Vuren at midfield.
There is also a new halfback partnership, with Faf de Klerk and Ethan Wentzel making way for Rewan Kruger and Jaco van der Walt.
The Cheetahs will be looking to build on their victory over the Stormers and strengthen their position in the playoff race when they take on the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
Cheetahs: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Jooste Nel, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Simon Miller, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Arno van der Merwe, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Juan Smal, 1 Tebogo Nkosi
Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Curtly Thomas, 20 Sisonke Vumasonke, 21 Jandre Nel, 22 Tiaan Swanepoel, 23 De-An Ackermann
Date: Sunday, August 16
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Jonathan Lottering
Assistant referees: Hanru van Rooyen, Juan de Bod
TMO: Egon Seconds
