Pietersen at pivot for Cheetahs

 

Pietersen is an unknown entity at flyhalf having spent most of his time running from the back for the Stormers and for French club Biarritz, where he made 17 appearances.

 

In the front row, Springbok Coenie Oosthuizen packs down at tighthead alongside Currie Cup captain and Namibian international Torsten van Jaarsveld.

At lock there is room for another Springbok in Lodewyk de Jager who pairs up with new captain Francois Uys.

 

Former Lion Willie Britz caps off a loose trio that includes Springbok Teboho Mohoje and the ever improving Jean Cook.

 

In the backs Welsh-bound scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius teams up with the exciting Pietersen while the centres are Francois Venter and another former Stormers man in Michael van der Spuy.

 

At the back there is plenty of pace to burn with Raymond Rhule and Clayton Blommetjies on the wings and the exciting Springbok fullback, Willie le Roux.

 

There is not too much firepower on the Cheetahs bench, except perhaps for Johannes Prinsloo in the forwards and Bok speedster Cornal Hendricks.

 

Cheetahs: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Clayton Blommetjies, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Jean Cook, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Minnie.

Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 BG Uys, 18 Nicolaas van Dyk, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Johannes Prinsloo, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Willie du Plessis, 23 Cornal Hendricks.

 

Date: Saturday, February 14

Venue: Kings Park, Durban

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)

Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)

Assistant referees: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia), Archie Sehlako (South Africa)

TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)