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Marais gets pivotal Cheetahs role

By
Thursday 15 Oct 2015

The 23-year-old replaces Sias Ebersohn, who drops down to the bench. The swop at flyhalf is the only change to the starting XV that drew 34-34 with the Sharks in Bloemfontein last week. 

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Hoooker Torsten van Jaarsveld is back after doing duty for Namibia in the World Cup and will be replacing Neil Rautenbach on the bench. Prop Nicolaas van Dyk was declared fit and will be replacing Teunis Nieuwoudt in the reserves.  

In the other change to the bench, forward Freddy Ngoza will be making space for back Adriaan Coertzen.

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ryno Benjamin, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Johannes Prinsloo, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Burrie Gildenhuys Uys.

Replacements: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Nicolaas van Dyk, 18 Reniel Hugo, 19 Gerhard Olivier, 20 Ruan van Rensburg, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Adriaan Coertzen.

Date: Saturday, October 17

Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Kick-off: 13.45 (11.45 GMT)

Referee: Jaco van Heerden

Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge, Stephan Geldenhuys

TMO: Marius Jonker

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