Force stay the same for Cheetahs
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The Western Force has named an unchanged squad to tackle the Cheetahs at Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium on Saturday.
Head Coach Michael Foley has maintained the same 23-man squad that overcame the Bulls, 15-9, in the team’s last match in Perth a fortnight ago.
The match will mark flyhalf Sias Ebersohn’s first in Bloemfontein since joining the Force from the Cheetahs for the 2013 Super Rugby season.
The Bloemfontein-born pivot played 30 matches for the Cheetahs between 2010 and 2012.
Lock Wilhelm Steenkamp, who will start from the bench on Saturday, also makes his return to the Free State, where he played 13 matches for the Cheetahs in 2012.
Western Force Head Coach Michael Foley says the four remaining matches leading into the June Test break represents an important period for his side.
“It was pleasing to see the boys adapt to a different style of game in difficult conditions against the Bulls,” he said.
“The intensity we played with was excellent and will be critical in overcoming the Cheetahs, who have scored the third most tries in the competition this season.
“The Cheetahs present a different challenge to other South Africa sides; while they use their set piece and kicking game as a weapon, they also play with width.
"If we maintain our work rate and discipline in defence as a 15, we will earn important opportunities to attack from turnover ball.”
Western Force: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Marcel Brache, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Sam Wykes, 4 Adam Coleman, 3 Kieran Longbottom, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Ollie Hoskins, 19 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 20 Brynard Stander, 21 Justin Turner, 22 Zack Holmes, 23 Chris Tuatara-Morrison.
Date: Saturday, May 10
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT; 23.05 AWST)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Marius Jonker (South Africa), Francois de Bruin (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
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