Cheetahs get a couple of Boks back
Free State Cheetahs coach Rory Duncan has made minimal changes to his team for the Currie Cup cross-section encounter with the Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The most significant change is the return from injury of Springbok Raymond Rhule, who is back on left wing.
He replaces Phillipus du Plessis in the No.11 jersey, with the latter moving to right wing, with Maphutha Dolo dropping out of the matchday 22.
Sevens Bok Clayton Blommetjies is back at fullback, replacing another Sevens international in Rayno Benjamin – who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.
"We are happy to have Clayton and Raymond back as they will add to our attack with regards to our backline," Duncan said.
"We are lucky enough though that the rest of the starting line up remains as it was for our game against the Sharks."
The other change is on the bench, where Brendon Groenewald replaces Werner Lourens as loose forward cover.
The Cheetahs, on the back of a 30-all draw with the Sharks last week, are just outside the top four – play-off positions.
The Kings are winless in six outings and stuck at the bottom of the standings.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Phillipus du Plessis, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Joubert Engelbrecht, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Willie du Plessis, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Pieter Labuschagne, 7 Neil Claassen, 6 Tienie Burger, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Henco Venter, 3 George Marich, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld (captain), 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Abraham le Roux, 17 Dolph Botha, 18 Brendon Groenewald, 19 Vincent Jobo, 20 Shaun Venter, 21 Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 22 Adriaan Coertzen.
Date: Saturday, September 20
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius Jonker
Assistant referees: Jaco Pretorius, Fernando Uithaler
