Mitchell to wing it for Waratahs
Wallaby wing Drew Mitchell returns from his long-term injury lay-off to play for the Waratahs for the first time in over 12 months when they take on the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Mitchell will start on the left wing on Saturday in one of four changes to the team that lost to the Stormers in Cape Town last week.
In the forward pack Tatafu Polota-Nau, Kane Douglas and Wycliff Palu return to the starting line-up and they will be central to the effort to keep the Cheetahs forwards on the back foot.
An injury to Rocky Elsom means Benn Robinson will captain the side for the seventh time and sees Dave Dennis revert to the blindside flank.
The absence of lock Dean Mumm, who suffered concussion in the match against the Stormers, will be covered by versatile forward Richard Stanford, who joined the squad earlier in the week. Stanford is one of four forwards on the bench, with coach Michael Foley opting for a four/three split, allowing for the inclusion of direct running centre Tom Carter.
Also looking to make an impact will be former Cheetahs scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius. Last season's leading Super Rugby try-scorer, Pretorius' inside knowledge of his former teammates will be an asset to the Waratahs side, as will his Afrikaans, as the visitors look to nail the 80-minute performance that would have seen them secure several close encounters in recent weeks.
Waratahs: 15 Bernard Foley, 14 Tom Kingston, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Brendan McKibbin
8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson (captain)
Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Richard Stanford, 19 Lopeti Timani, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Daniel Halangahu, 22 Tom Carter.
Date: Saturday, May 26
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Sindile Mayende (South Africa), Stefan Breytenbach (South Africa)
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee (South Africa)
