Double Cheetah change
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske made two changes to his side for their Super Rugby encounter against the Blues at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday.
The Cheetahs enjoyed a bye last week after beating the Sharks 35-29 two weeks ago in Durban, and gaining five points in the process, would be fully rested for their meeting with the New Zealand outfit.
Drotske chose a kicking approach against the Sharks, with Springbok wing Cornal Hendricks shifted to the bench, but has since been promoted back into the starting lineup.
The other change comes at lock, where Carl Wegner replaces Lood de Jager after he injured his elbow in the first 10 minutes against the Sharks.
"We have gained a lot of confidence from the game against the Sharks. We haven't started well in the competition in the past, but we have done so this year.
"We not only beat them in Durban, but got five points in doing so. There was no need to really ring the changes and the side stays as is, mostly because we want to reward the players for their efforts at Kings Park," Drotske said.
Drotske said he was satisfied with all aspects of his side's game, and hoped to produce a similar performance against the Blues.
"We did a lot of things very well against the Sharks. We scrummed really well and we defended like our lives depended on it.
"We also did well on attack and want to take that momentum forward against a side that is going to be very direct and physical in their approach to the game. We expect a huge battle and we have prepared as such," he added.
Cheetahs: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Joe Petersen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Jean Cook, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Mienie.
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Burrie Uys, 18 Nicolaas van Dyk, 19 Tienie Burger, 20 Johannes Prinsloo, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Willie du Plessis, 23 Johann Sadie.
Date: Friday, February 27
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 19.10 (18.10 GMT; 06.10 NZ Time Saturday, February 28)
Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Assistant referees: Andrew Lees (Australia), Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
