Steyn rings changes for Cheetahs following opening win
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs head coach Frans Steyn made several changes to the side who defeated Lusitanos ahead of their second Toyota Challenge clash against Iberians.
The back three of fullback Shuan Ray and wingers Litha Nkula and Ntokozo Makhaza remain unchanged, but there’s a change in the midfield, with Daniel Maartens replacing Duncan Basson to partner captain Marco Jansen van Vuren.
Ethan Wentzel and Erich Visser are the starting halfbacks in place of Jandre Nel and Tiaan Swanepoel.
In the pack, a new-look loose trio will pack down with Mihlali Mosi named at No.8 alongside Siya Ningiza and Siyemukela Ndlovu, who retains his starting spot.
An all-new lock pairing is named as Juan Smal partners Aidon Davis whilst Ben Pitout, Juandre Schoeman and Tielman Nieuwoudt form a new front row as well.
On the replacements bench, Stefan Venter is named at hooker alongside props Sibabalwe Booi and John-Kelly Okonkwo, who started against Lusitanos.
Locks Carl Wegner and Arno van der Merwe join scrumhalf Jandre Nel, Flyhalf Darius Erwee and loose forward Sisonke Vumazonke to complete the bench.
Cheetahs: 15 Shuan Ray, 14 Litha Nkula, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren (captain), 12 Daniel Maartens, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Erich Visser, 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Siya Ningiza, 6 Siyemukela Ndlovu, 5 Juan Smal, 4 Aidon Davis, 3 Ben Pitout, 2 Juandre Schoeman, 1 Tielman Nieuwoudt
Replacements: 16 Stefan Venter, 17 Sibabalwe Booi, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Arno van der Merwe, 21 Jandre Nel, 22 Darius Erwee, 23 Sisonke Vumazonke
Date: Tuesday, September 29
Venue: Avchala Rugby Stadium, Tbilisi
Kick-off: 14.00 GET (12.00 SAST; 10.00 GMT)
Referee: Gela Lemonjava
Assistant referees: Shoti Tsagareishvili, Ana Pogosyan
TMO: Ioseb Japardize
Catch up on the full match replay of the Wallabies vs Springboks Test from Perth!
Watch now on RugbyPass TV (US only)
