Cheetahs to unleash Nkosi against Griquas
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi will make his first appearance for the Cheetahs in a SA Cup warm-up match against Griquas in Jacobsdal on Saturday.
The 28-year-old was given a chance to resurrect his career with a one-year contract with the Bloemfontein side.
He will start in the No.14 jersey on Saturday.
His back-three teammates will be Tapiwa Mafura and Sibabalo Xamlashe with Andell Loubser and Ali Mgijima forming the midfield pairing.
Former Stormer Abner van Reenen gets the No.10 jersey and his halfback partner will be Rewan Kruger.
Andisa Ntsila, Oupa Mohoje and Gideon van der Merwe are in the back row with Mzwanele Zito and Friedle Olivier in the second row.
The front row consists of Aranos Coetzee, Louis van der Westhuizen (captain) and Schalk Ferreira.
The SA Cup kicks off on Friday, March 22 when the Cheetahs host Boland in Bloemfontein.
The tournament fills a gap between pre-season and the start of the Currie Cup and First Division competitions, and it replaces the Mzanzi Challenge which served a similar purpose last year.
Cheetahs: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Sbu Nkosi, 13 Andell Loubser, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Sibabalo Xamlashe, 10 Abner van Reenen, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Mzwanele Zito, 4 Friedle Olivier, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen (captain), 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Thabang Mahlasi, 20 Ulrich Stander, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Litha Nkula, 23 Christiaan van der Westhuizen.
Date: Saturday, March 9
Venue: Landboudal, Jacobsdal
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00)
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
