Cheetahs get their SpecMagic back
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs will be travelling with a bolstered team when they head north to Pretoria to face the Bulls on Wednesday.
Coach Hawies Fourie made a number of changes to the side that started their Currie Cup campaign with a 30-20 win over Griquas a fortnight ago.
Rosko Specman and Siya Masuku return from injury.
Specman will replace Craig Barry on the wing and Masuku comes in for Chris Smit at flyhalf.
Andisa Ntsila will be starting in the No.7 jersey, with Aidon Davis moving to lock – replacing the injured Rynier Bernardo.
Jeandré Rudolph will be providing cover on the bench.
Louis van der Westhuizen will be wearing the No.2 jersey, with Janus Venter the cover on the bench.
Reinhardt Fortuin is new to the bench.
A number of players are still not available as a result of injury – including George Cronje (knee), Duncan Saal (bicep), Branden de Kock (knee), Aranos Coetzee (bicep), Cameron Dawson (ankle), Daniel Kasende (knee), Cohen Jasper (shoulder) and Rynier Bernardo (shoulder).
Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Rosko Specman, 13 David Brits, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Enver Brandt, 10 Siyabonga Masuku, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Andisa Ntsila, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Aidon Davis, 3 Marné Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: 16 Janus Venter, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Sergio Moreira, 20 Jeandré Rudolph, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 Robert Ebersohn.
Date: Wednesday, February 2
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 17.45 (15.45 GMT)
Referee: Paul Mente
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs & local referee
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen.
