Bok gets first Cheetahs start
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Free State Cheetahs have moved the captain to make room for a Springbok.
Coach Franco Smith has named team with several changes to take on the Pumas in a Currie Cup Round Six encounter in Nelspruit in on Saturday.
Captain Tian Meyer moves from scrumhalf to the to left wing, to make room for veteran Springbok Ruan Pienaar – who will start for the Cheetahs for the first time, coming off the bench previously.
William Small-Smith returns to the right wing.
Gerhard Olivier is the No.6 flank, Junior Pokomela No.7 and Abongile Nonkontwana providing cover on the bench.
Walt Steenkamp and Sintu Manjezi swap places at lock, with Steenkamp in the starting line-up.
Jacques du Toit will be the starting hooker, with Joseph Dweba providing cover on the bench.
Schalk van der Merwe will be replacing the injured Charles Marais at prop.
Erich de Jager is new to the bench.
Players who are not eligible for team selection due to injury include Teboho Mohoje (knee), Aidon Davis (broken leg), Justin Basson (knee), Ali Mgijima (Achilles), Luan de Bruin (neck), Malcolm Jaer (groin), Daniel Maartens (ankle), Darron Adonis (hamstring), Tian Schoeman (calf), Marnus van der Merwe (foot), Adriaan Carelse (hand) and Charles Marais (knee).
Ruben de Haas is currently training with the United States World Cup team.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 William Small-Smith, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Dries Swanepoel, 11 Tian Meyer (captain), 10 Louis Fouche, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Gerhard Olivier, 5 Jean-Pierre du Preez, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Retshegofaditswe Nche, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Sitnu Manjesi, 20 Abongile Nonkontwana, 21 Jasper Wiese, 22 Dian Badenhorst, 22 Tapiwa Mafura.
Date: Saturday, August 17
Venue: Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant referees: Jaco Pretorius, Eduan Nel
TMO: Christie du Preez
