Cheetahs forced to change for Oyonnax showdown
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: After suffering a defeat against PAU in Amsterdam, the Cheetahs travel to France to face Oyonnax in Round Four of the Challenge Cup.
They will take on Oyonnax on Saturday at 17.15 SA time (15.15 GMT) at Stade Charles-Mathon in France.
“We made it more difficult for ourselves to qualify for the Round of 16 by losing last week’s game against Pau.” Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie said.
“This week wasn’t easy as we couldn’t train until Thursday due to weather conditions and travelling.
“Still, the improvement from last week’s sessions was quite noticeable, and I think we will see the same on Saturday.”
Marnus van der Merwe will start with Louis van der Westhuizen providing cover on the bench.
Daniel Kasende wears the No.14 jersey, and Munier Hartzenberg moves to the left wing.
Hartzenberh replaces the injured Cohen Jasper (ankle).
Oupa Mohoje is new on the bench, and Abner van Reenen steps in for Ali Mgijima, who will miss the showdown due to HIA protocol.
Van Reenen joined the team on Thursday in France.
“Ali [Mgijima] didn’t pass the head injury protocol, so he had to return home.
“Losing Ali is a big blow. He played well in all the games when he came on as a sub, especially last weekend against Pau.”
Cheetahs: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 George Lourens, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (Captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira
Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Oupa Mohoje, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 Abner van Reenen.
Date: Saturday, January 20
Venue: Stade Charles Mathon, Oyonnax
Kick-off: 16.15 (17.15 SA Time; 15.15 GMT)
Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe (England)
Assistant Referees: George Selwood (England) & Ethan Glass (Switzerland)
TMO: David Rose (England)
