Cheetahs start Ebersohn at fullback
The Cheetahs will meet tournament newcomers, the Sunwolves, in a historic first-ever Super Rugby clash in Singapore on Saturday.
Smith made several changes to a team, which departed this week without Springbok lock Lodewyk de Jager – the result of an agreement with the South African Rugby Union that contracted Boks would be rested for certain games during the season.
The most significant change sees Ebersohn replacing Clayton Blommetjies at fullback, a position he does not often feature in. It is at flyhalf where he rose to fame with his twin brother Robert through the school ranks, Cheetahs age group teams and later Super Rugby.
He spent a few years in Perth with the Western Force, before returning to Bloemfontein in the off-season.
The other backline change sees Niel Marais start at flyhalf, with Fred Zeilinga moving to the bench.
Up front Smith opted for a new front row – with Retshegofaditswe Nche, Jacques du Toit and Johan Coetzee all starting.
Charles Marais, Torsten van Jaarsveld and Nicolaas van Dyk move down to the bench.
Francois Uys is included as vice-captain in the starting line-up, replacing De Jager.
Henco Venter also replaces Neill Jordaan in the No.8 jersey.
On the bench Springbok Hilton Lobberts will provide cover at lock and loose forward.
Cheetahs: 15 Sias Ebersohn, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter, 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Nicolaas van Dyk, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Hilton Lobberts, 21 Johannes Prinsloo, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 Fred Zeilinga.
Date: Saturday, March 12
Venue: National Stadium, Singapore
Kick-off: 18.55 (19.55 Japan time; 12.55 SA Time; 10.55 GMT)
Referee: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Shuhei Kubo (Japan), Aki Aso (Japan)
TMO: Takashi Hareda (Japan)
