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Frans Steyn gives pivotal role to Franco Smith

By @rugby365com
Friday 15 Aug 2025

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs head coach Frans Steyn has made wholesale changes to his matchday squad for Saturday’s Currie Cup Round Four clash against Western Province in Bloemfontein.

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There is a total of 11 changes to the starting XV that edged the Sharks last weekend.

Franco Smith shifts from centre to flyhalf, and his halfback partner will be Rewan Kruger.

James Verity-Amm will form a back three with Banie Britz and Cohen Jasper, while Marco Janse van Vuren and Ali Mgijima are in the midfield.

Neels Volschenk keeps his place at No.8, but he will have new loose trio teammates in the form of Sisonke Vumazonke and Daniel Maartens.

Victor Sekekete (captain) and Juan Venter are retained in the second row, while the front row consists of Aranos Coetzee, Louis van der Westhuizen and Hencus van Wyk.

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Players unavailable due to injury are Munier Hartzenberg (hamstring), Carl Wegner (hamstring), Johan Kelly Okonkwo (knee), George Lourens (hand/forearm), Dux Manyama (hamstring), Prince Nkabinde (thumb), Michael Annies (foot), Tielman Niewoudt (back), Pieter Janse van Vuren (hamstring), Tiaan Swanepoel (groin), Pierre-Raymond Uys (concussion), and Ntokozo Makhaza (ankle).

Cheetahs: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Banie Britz, 13 Marco Janse van Vuren, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Franco Smith, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Mihlali Mosi, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Juan Venter, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Hencus van Wyk.
Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Vuren, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Thabang Mahlase, 20 Sasko Ndlovu, 21 Jandre Nel, 22 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.

Date: Saturday, August 17
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys
Assistant referees: Sean Muller, Daniel Canhenga
TMO: Cwengile Jadezweni

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