Cheetahs make eight changes

 

Drotské has made no less than eight changes to the starting line-up, as well as positional shifts to his loose forward trio.

 

Fullback Willie le Roux , centres Johann Sadie and Francois Venter, scrumhalf Tian Meyer, lock Carl Wegner, hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld, and props Coenie Oosthuizen and Danie Minnie are all new faces in the starting team from the one which lost 27-37 to the Chiefs in Hamilton last weekend.

 

Springboks Le Roux and Oosthuizen are back after being rested in compliance with SARU's request, while Sadie – who missed last week’s game with flu – joins Venter in a new midfield combination.

 

Meyer starts at scrumhalf in place of Shaun Venter, with Sarel Pretorius on the bench after rejoining the team following the birth of his second child.

 

Wegner comes in for Steven Sykes, Van Jaarsveld replaces Stephan Coetzee and Mienie replaces Burrie Gildenhuys Uys.

 

Willie Britz shifts from flank to No.8, while Johannes Prinsloo takes the number seven jersey.

 

Cheetahs: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Johannes Prinsloo, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Mienie.

Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Burrie Gildenhuys Uys, 18 Nicolaas van Dyk, 19 Steven Sykes, 20 Tienie Burger, 21 Sarel Pretorius, 22 Willie du Plessis, 23 Rayno Benjamin.