Cheetahs rush their Boks back
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské wasted no time in rushing back all his available Springboks for the Super Rugby clash against the Sharks at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
"We do have a system in place where our returning Springboks are promoted to the starting line-up if they are fit and free of any injuries," Drotské said.
"That is the reason for the inclusion of someone like Trevor Nyakane above Caylib Oosthuizen.
"The whole season there has been very little to choose from between Trevor and Caylib and both of them will most likely play about 40 minutes against the Sharks.
"We are also glad to have Coenie Oosthuizen in the starting line-up.
"The [knee] injury he sustained in the final Test [South Africa versus Scotland] looked worse than it really was. We sent him for x-rays and luckily nothing is broken so he will definitely play."
Returning to the franchise after being involved in the incoming tour Tests against Wales and Scotland, Nyakane, Adriaan Strauss, Coenie Oosthuizen, Lodewyk de Jager, Teboho Mohoje, Johan Goosen, Cornal Hendricks and Willie le Roux were all named in the run-on side.
Their return would be a boost for the home side – who will have to make do without injured stalwarts Johannes Prinsloo and Heinrich Brüssow.
Brüssow, who did not feature for the Boks in the June Test despite being part of the initial training squad, is still struggling with a groin injury.
A date for his return has not been confirmed.
Because of a rash of injuries among the loose forwards Torsten van Jaarsveld, normally a hooker, will start on the flank.
Philip van der Walt, back from a hand injury is at No.8 and Jean Cook, who has recovered from his shoulder injury, will play off the bench.
Cheetahs: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Ryno Benjamin, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Replacements: 16 Caylib Oosthuizen, 17 Luan de Bruin, 18 Carl Wegner, 19 Jean Cook, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Elgar Watts, 23 Hennie Daniller.
Date: Saturday, July 5
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Assistant referees: Stuart Berry (South Africa), Francois de Bruin (South Africa)
TMO: Deon van Blommestein (South Africa)
