Cheetahs 'psyched up' for Final
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs coach Franco Smith made just one change to his team for his last game in charge.
The Cheetahs host Golden Lions in the Currie Cup Final in Bloemfontein on Saturday – Smith’s last game before heading off to Italy.
In the only change Abongile Nonkontwana and Gerhard Olivier swap places.
Oliver start on the flank and Nonkontwana will play off the bench.
Charles Marais returns from injury and will be providing front row cover on the bench.
This is an exciting day for the Cheetahs, who will feature in their 15th Currie Cup Final and the eighth in Bloemfontein.
This will also be the third Currie Cup final between the two sides, all in Bloemfontein.
In October 1994 Transvaal beat Free State 56-33, in October 2007 the Cheetahs walked away with a 20-18.
“We didn’t come all this way just to compete in the Final,” captain Tian Meyer said.
“It is going to be an 80-minute performance against the Lions.”
The coach, Smith, echoed similar sentiments.
“It is a privilege to play in a Currie Cup Final at home,” he said.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 William Small-Smith, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Dries Swanepoel, 11 Tian Meyer (captain), 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Gerhard Olivier, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Erich de Jager, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Reinach Venter, 19 JP du Preez, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Abongile Nonkontwana, 22 Louis Fouche, 22 Darren Adonis.
Date: Saturday, September 7
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17.00 (15.00 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs, Egon Seconds
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
