Double Bok boost for Cheetahs
Springboks Johan Goosen and Coenie Oosthuizen will both start for the Cheetahs in their clash with the Western Force in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Flyhalf Goosen and prop Oosthuizen both came off the bench and made an impact in the defeat to the Bulls in Pretoria last week, and will start against the Perth side as the Cheetahs seek to lift themselves off the bottom of the standings.
Goosen, who has recovered from a concussion, replaces Elgar Watts, while Oosthuizen comes in for Nicolaas van Dyk at tighthead prop. Both Watts and Van Dyk find themselves among the replacements.
"It is good to have both Johan and Coenie back. They are two quality players that are very influential in the way we want to play," Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske said.
"Coenie played 30 minutes against the Bulls and I think he showed he is ready for more this week. We will see how it goes with his fitness, but we are excited to have him back.
"Goose has had a rough patch where he had a couple of niggles, so hopefully everything is now 100 percent fine and he can play longer," he added.
The coach opted to include wing Raymond Rhule in the side even though he aggravated an ankle injury against the Bulls. Should he not recover in time, Springbok Sevens player Cornal Hendricks would be promoted from the bench.
"If Raymond cannot play, Cornal will come into the starting line-up and Howard Mnisi will sit on the bench. It looks like Raymond will play and our medical team is confident that he will be ready to face the Force.
"Both of them are playing very well, so we should be fine should Raymond need to sit out for another week."
With flank Jean Cook sidelined with a shoulder injury after the last game, versatile utility forward Teboho Mohoje gets his chance in what will be his run-on debut against the Force.
"Teboho is very quick on the attack and a quality jumper in the line-outs where he contests well. It is time for him to make the step up and show that he can play Super Rugby and start on a regular basis," Drotske said.
"He has done well thus far, but this is the first start for him and a good opportunity to show he can play the full 80 minutes."
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Raymond Rhule/Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Rayno Benjamin, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Sarel Pretorius 8 Johannes Prinsloo, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Nicolaas van Dyk, 19 Carel Greeff, 20 Waltie Vermeulen, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Elgar Watts, 23 Cornal Hendricks/Howard Mnisi.
Date: Saturday, May 10
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17.05 (23.05 AWST)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Marius Jonker (South Africa), Francois de Bruin (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
