Drotské keeps the faith
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské has showed faith in the team that let a commanding lead slip last week.
Drotské named an unchanged matchday 23-man for their Super Rugby clash against the Crusaders in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The Cheetahs drew 43-all with the Chiefs, despite taking a commanding 34-10 lead – the final try and conversion coming well into extra time.
Despite his team's lapse last week, Drotské felt they showed progress since their disastrous and winless tour and gave the same group another run.
That means Springbok Trevor Nyakane against start at loosehead prop, ahead of Caylib Oosthuizen – who started in all the tour matches.
Inside centre is another position that has caused considerable debate in recent weeks – where Sevens Bok Rayno Benjamin is starting and keeping specialist midfielder Howard Mnisi on the bench.
Cheetahs: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Rayno Benjamin, 11 Hennie Daniller, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Jean Cook, 7 Pieter Labuschagné, 6 Johannes Prinsloo, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Nicolaas van Dyk, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Rossouw de Klerk, 19 Andries Ferreira, 20 Teboho Mohoje, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Elgar Watts, 23 Howard Mnisi.
Date: Saturday, April 12
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT; 03.00, Sunday, April 13)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa), Francois de Bruin Francois (South Africa)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)
