Cheetahs rest their Springboks

 

There are no less than six changes to the starting line-up, including a rest for Springbok duo Coenie Oosthuizen and Willie Le Roux. 

 

Springbok flank Teboho Mohoje is already on his way back home, suffering an injury to his groin in last week's tough encounter against the Crusaders. Mohoje is expected to be sidelined for 8-12 weeks, and Tienie Burger will be flying to Hamilton as cover for the Cheetahs with Johannes Prinsloo slotting into the starting line-up.

 

 

As per agreement with SA Rugby, Willie Le Roux and Coenie Oosthuizen are being rested. Nicholas van Dyk moves into the front row for the springbok tighthead, with Clayton Blommetjies shifting to fullback to allow the return of Cornal Hendricks on the right wing. 

 

Centre Francois Venter sits this one out, and Michael van der Spuy comes off the bench to play in the midfield.

 

Carl Wegner moves to the bench to mark the return for captain Francois Uys.

 

Flyhalf Joe Pietersen will take over the vice-captaincy for the match, with Sarel Pretorius rejoining the team on Sunday in Sydney after the birth of his second son on Tuesday. 

 

Shaun Venter will be returning back to South Africa after Saturdays encounter, and with Pretorius's return.

 

Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Johannes Prinsloo, 7 Jean Cook, 6 Heinreich Brussow, 5 Francois Uys(Captain), 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Nicholas van Dyk, 2 Stephan Coetzee, 1 BG Uys.

Replacements: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Danie Mienie, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Willie Britz, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Willie du Plessis, 23 Ryno Benjamin

 

Date: Saturday, March 28

Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Kick Off: 16:30 (05:30 SA time, 3:30 GMT)

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Stuart Berry (South Africa), Brendon Pickerall (New Zealand) 

TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)