Cheetahs without Springbok Steyn
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie revealed his team for their Currie Cup clash against the Pumas on Friday.
On the back of a humiliating 18-46 defeat to the Griquas, the Bloemfontein will be eager to bounce back against the Pumas.
It is certainly a big occasion as Ruan Pienaar will be playing in his 50th match for the Cheetahs.
The Springbok will captain the side, who has undergone several changes to the starting XV.
There are three changes in the backline and four in the pack.
Robert Ebersohn and Chris Smith replace David Brits and Frans Steyn as the new centre combo.
Steyn limped off the field in the 23rd minute with an injured hamstring during last weekend’s defeat.
According to OFM, Steyn will be out of action for three weeks and will also miss the CHeetahs’ final round-robin match against the Bulls.
Reinhardt Fortuin takes over the No.10 jersey from Siyabonga Masuku.
In the pack, Mihlali Mosi and Andisa Ntsila make way for Jeandre Rudolph and Aidon Davis.
Rudolph and Davis form part of the loose trio with Gideon van der Merwe.
Meanwhile, Rynier Bernardo comes in at lock in the place of Davis.
In the frontrow, Louis van der Westhuizen and Schalk van der Merwe get a chance in the starting XV.
Cheetahs: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Chris Smith, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Schalk van der Merwe
Replacements: 16 Marius van der Merwe, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Marne Coetzee, 19 Ockie Barnard, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Mihlali Mosi , 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 David Brits
Date: Friday, June 3
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 18.00 (16.00 GMT)
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant referees: Dylen November and Clearance Khumalo
TMO: Quinton Immelman.
*Additional Source: OFM
