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Cheetahs bring in BlitzBoks for Currie Cup opener

Rosco Specman comes into the side and starts in the No.14 jersey, while Chris Dry and Cecil Afrika will start the game on the bench.

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The trio formed an integral part of the BlitzBoks' Seven World Series victory earlier this year.

Springbok Francois Venter will captain the side.

Other Springboks in the starting XV include Raymond Rhule on the wing and Uzair Cassiem at blindside flank.

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Rosco Specman, 13 Francois Venter, 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Neil Jordaan, 5 Daniel Hugo, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Charles Marais.

Replacements: 16 Retshegofaditswe Nche, 17 Reinach Venter, 18 Rynier Bernado, 19 Chris Dry, 20 Zee Mkhabela, 21 JW Jonker, 22 Cecil Afrika.

Date: Friday, July 21

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)

Referee: Jadezweni Cwengile

Assistant referees: Jaco Pretorius, Jaco Kotze.  

TMO: JJ Wagner   

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