The Cheetahs have shifted Frans Steyn to flyhalf for their Currie Cup clash against the Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday.
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In an attempt to kick-start their floundering season, Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie named a match-day 23 which features several changes from the team that lost to the Lions in Bloemfontein this past weekend.
CHEETAHS ARE DOWN IN FIFTH PLACE IN THE LOG
The Cheetahs are down in fifth-place in the standings, eight points behind the fourth-placed Lions who occupy the all-important final playoff spot.
The Cheetahs have however played one fewer match than their Johannesburg rivals.
In other team news, former Maties wing Duncan Saal will make his first appearance for the Cheetahs in the Currie Cup, while Howard Mnisi will take Steyn’s place at inside centre.
There are just two changes to the pack as Reniel Hugo replaces Ian Groenewald at lock and Marnus van der Merwe starts at hooker in place of Jacques du Toit.
Oupa Mohoje returns from injury and will provide cover off the bench at both lock and flank, while Rhyno Smith and Chris Massyn are new to the substitutes after missing last weekend’s match.
Kick-off at the Mbombela Stadium is at 19:00.
TEAMS:
Pumas
TBA
Cheetahs
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Duncan Saal 13 Dries Swanepoel 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 William Small-Smith, 10 Frans Steyn, 9 Ruben de Haas, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Kutha Mchunu, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Boan Venter
Substitutes: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Oupa Mohoje, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 Rhyno Smith
