Winless Cheetahs coach wields heavy axe
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs coach Franco Smith has made a rash of changes to his team to take on Edinburgh in a Pro14 encounter at Murrayfield on Friday.
Edinburgh coach Richard Cockerill has made four changes ahead of the encounter.
For the Cheetahs, hookers Joseph Dweba and Jacques du Toit switch places – with Du Toit in the starting line-up.
Walt Steenkamp and Justin Basson switch places – with Steenkamp providing cover on the bench.
Neill Jordaan moves to flank, replacing Gerhard Olivier – who returned home for the birth of his firstborn.
Jordaan will be representing the Cheetahs in his 50th match.
Stephan Malan will be starting at No.8.
Louis Fouche replaces Ryno Eksteen at fullback. Eksteen has been sidelined due to a knee injury.
Abongile Nonkontwana will be making his Pro14 debut when he sets foot to the field.
Ali Mgijima is new to the bench.
Field session | #EDIvCHE
Hook on to the Hookers@CheetahsRugby will be facing @EdinburghRugby on Friday, 5 Oct at 19:35 (SA time) on Murrayfield. #HookOn #OnTour #CrossingHemispheres #ConnectYourWay #CellC pic.twitter.com/NnzsoxcWc3— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) October 2, 2018
As Edinburgh look to secure their fifth consecutive home victory in all competitions, three players are rotated into the backline.
James Johnstone and Juan Pablo Socino are named in the midfield, while wing Darcy Graham makes his first start since featuring against Leinster in February.
Cockerill makes just one change to the pack as Rory Sutherland makes his first start of the season at loosehead prop.
“We’ve named a strong, combative side who’ll be looking to make amends following last weekend’s disappointing performance against Benetton,” Cockerill said.
“Whilst we were happy with the result and certain aspects of our play, the squad know that there is plenty to improve on if we’re going to challenge in the league.
“Cheetahs are a physical, abrasive outfit with quick backs out wide that’ll punish you throughout the 80 minutes. However, we’ve got plenty of belief, especially at home, and I’ve got every confidence that this group of players can bounce back tomorrow night.”
After crossing the whitewash against Benetton a week ago, Blair Kinghorn is named at fullback, with Duhan van der Merwe – a try-scorer in his last four appearances at Murrayfield – and Graham selected on the flanks.
Johnstone and summer recruit Socino get the nod in midfield, while Henry Pyrgos and Kiwi stand-off Simon Hickey continue at half-back.
Up front, hooker Stuart McInally skippers the side and packs down alongside Willem Nel and Sutherland.
Experienced locks Grant Gilchrist and Ben Toolis are named in the boiler room, while Magnus Bradbury, Hamish Watson and Fijian international Bill Mata complete the back-row.
The Cheetahs are highly-motivated to get their first victory of the season.
“It’s a great honour for the team to play at Murrayfield,” the Cheetahs coach, Smith, said.
“Murrayfield is an iconic stadium, with lots of history and tradition.
“We’ve made changes to the team due to Gerhard Olivier’s return back home and Ryno Eksteen’s injury.
“We are glad to have Abongile Nonkontwana who joined the team on tour.
“He joined the Cheetahs earlier this year without a contract but proofed himself worthy by working himself up through the domestic Challenge Cup and Currie Cup competitions.
“It proves again that the Free State is a breeding ground of opportunity and that we will always keep on producing talent.
“Changes to the starting line-up with Justin Basson and Jacques du Toit bring new excitement and energy to the team, the same with Stephan Malan.
“I’m very proud of Niell Jordaan who will be playing in his 50th game for the Cheetahs. I brought him from the Varsity Cup and through the rank. It is wonderful to see him achieving this special milestone.
“Edinburgh is a well-coached team with a lot of international and South African players in their squad. They are very competitive and it will especially be a challenge to play them at home.”
The two sides have only met once before with the Cheetahs defeating Edinburgh 33-13 in Bloemfontein last season.
The following players are not eligible for team selection due to injury: Quintin Vorster (ankle), Ntokosa Vidima (wrist), Dries Swanepoel (shoulder), Erich de Jager (bicep), Teboho Mohoje (knee), Luan de Bruin (ankle), Aiden Davis (laceration), Jasper Wiese (shoulder), Lloyd Greeff (ankle), Sibabalo Qoma (ankle), Ernst Stapelberg (concussion), Malcolm Jaer (lower back sprain), Ryno Eksteen (knee).
The team will be returning home on Saturday and arrive in Bloemfontein on Sunday afternoon.
The next match is scheduled for Saturday, October 27, against Cardiff Blues in Bloemfontein.
Teams:
Edinburgh: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 James Johnstone, 12 Juan Pablo Socino, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Simon Hickey, 9 Henry Pyrgos, 8 Bill Mata, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Magnus Bradbury, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Ben Toolis, 3 Willem Nel, 2 Stuart McInally (captain), 1 Rory Sutherland.
Replacements: 16 Ross Ford, 17 Murray McCallum, 18 Simon Berghan, 19 Luke Hamilton, 20 Jamie Ritchie, 21 Sean Kennedy, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Chris Dean.
Cheetahs: 15 Louis Fouche, 14 William Small-Smith, 13 Bernhard van Rensburg, 12 Nico Lee, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Stephan Malan, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Neil Jordaan, 5 Jean-Pierre du Preez, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Johannes Coetzee, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Günther Janse van Vuuren, 19 Walt Steenkamp, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Abongile Nonkontwana, 22 Shaun Venter, 23 Ali Mgijima.
Date: Friday, October 5
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 19.35 (20.35 SA Time; 18.35 GMT)
Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Assistant referees: Joy Manuel Bottino (Italy) and Ian Kenny (Scotland)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
Your Edinburgh team to face @CheetahsRugby 🙌
1⃣ @Darcy_Graham selected on the wing 💨
2⃣ @Rorysuzz gets the nod up front 💪
3⃣ @Jimmy_J90 starts at 13 🏴#AlwaysEdinburgh 🔷🔶 pic.twitter.com/h4vdYs9Uij— Edinburgh Rugby (@EdinburghRugby) October 4, 2018
