Cheetahs name 'new' flyhalf
Free State Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské continues his search for a flyhalf to replace Springbok Johan Goosen.
Drotské named scrumhalf Tewis du Bruyn at flyhalf for their Currie Cup clash against the Golden Lions in Bloemfontein this weekend .
De Bruyn has replaced Sias Ebersohn, who has been dropped to the bench for this weekend.
Ebersohn, who has not been at his best this year, first played second-fiddle Riaan Smit when Goosen was injured in Super Rugby.
When Smit suffered an injury recently the Perth-bound Ebersohn got another crack at starting in the No.10 jersey.
However, he lacked flair and failed to dominate against a Western Province last weekend – opening the door for De Bruyn to play a pivotal role.
Veteran flank Hendro Scholtz has also been promoted to the Cheetahs starting line-up, after coming out of retirement to play off the bench against WP last week.
Drotské called Scholtz out of retirement to help bolster a side that lacked loose forwards due to injuries.
And he impressed in the game against Province, so much so that Drotské has decided to give him a chance to prove himself against the Lions.
"Hendro did very well as an impact player against Western Province, both on defence and attack," Drotské said.
"We look forward to a good contribution from him against the Lions."
Davon Raubenheimer makes way for Scholtz.
In the only injury-enforced change lock Francois Uys comes in for Andries Ferreira, who injured his knee against Western Province and will be out of action for the rest of the season.
Uys returns from a suspension, with young South African Under-20 player Carl Wegner on the bench.
Springbok prop Coenie Oosthuizen is understood to be nearing his comeback, but will not be risked this weekend and will most likely return to boost the Cheetahs for next weekend's clash with the Blue Bulls.
Free Sate Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Robert Ebersohn (Captain, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Tewis du Bruyn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Hendro Scholtz, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen (Vice Captain), 4 Francois Uys, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Hercu Liebenberg, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Elandré Huggett, 17 Ross Geldenhuys, 18 Carl Wegner, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Sias Ebersohn, 21 Phillip Snyman, 22 Rayno Benjamin.
Date: Saturday, September 15
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Sindile Mayende
Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman, Stefan Breytenbach
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee
