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Wounded Cheetahs lean on Uys

Free State Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has shifted lock Francois Uys to flank for their match with the Sharks in Bloemfontein this weekend.

The Free State side have had to endure something of a loose forward crisis recently with Springbok flank Heinrich Brussow the latest to be sidelined with a shoulder injury that will require surgery.

With players such as Juan Smith, Frans Viljoen, Lucas Floors, Johannes Prinsloo, Phillip van der Walt and Hendro Scholtz all currently unavailable Drotske has been forced to move Uys to the side of the scrum, with his place in the second row taken by former Baby Bok Carl Wegner.

Uys will start at blindside flank, with the talented Pieter Labuschagne shifting to the other side of the scrum to take Brussow's position as openside.

"It's a difficult time with all the injured players not available, Drotske said.

"And now Heinrich's absence comes as another shock. He will even miss some of our Super Rugby games next year.

"We now look towards the available players to put their hands up and perform."

Drotske was able to name an unchanged backline for the clash with the Sharks which should have a major impact on whether they qualify for the semifinals.

"We need to keep the momentum going that we got against the Griquas. The Sharks will be a difficult side to beat, but we need to put everything we have into that game," Drotske added.

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Robert Ebersohn (captain), 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Phillip van der Walt, 7 Francois Uys, 6 Lappies Labuschagne, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Hercu Liebenberg, 1 Marcel van der Merwe.

Replacements: 16 AJ Le Roux, 17 Brummer Badenhorst, 18 Waltie Vermeuelen, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Tewis du Bruyn, 21 Phillip Snyman, 22 Phillip Burger.

Date: Saturday, October 6

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)

Referee: Jason Jaftha

Assistant referees: Joey Salmans, Marc van Zyl

TMO: Gerrie Coetzee

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