The Cheetahs have been forced into one change for their match against the Crusaders on Saturday. Ryno Benjamin will return to the starting line up for Philip Burger, who has a hamstring injury.
The Crusaders will be on an almighty high after their victory over the Stormers in Cape Town last weekend, but have been hampered with four injuries in their backline alone, with Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland and Adam Whitelock already back in New Zealand. This will be offset by the return of both Richie McCaw and Dan Carter to the starting line up.
Riaan Smit will switch to the right wing with Benjamin, who himself is returning from a hamstring injury, will play on the left wing. The game kicks off at 19h10 on Saturday evening.
Cheetahs: Riaan Viljoen, Riaan Smit, Robert Ebersohn, Corne Uys, Ryno Benjamin, Sias Ebersohn, Sarel Pretorius, Davon Raubenheimer, Ashley Johnson, Heinrich Brussow, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Francois Uys, WP Nel, Adriaan Strauss (capt), Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: Ryno Barnes, Lourens Adriaanse, Waltie Vermeulen, Kabamba Floors, Tewis de Bruyn, Naas Olivier, Hennie Daniller
Adam Whitelock is the injured player returning home. George is a forward
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 1) :
So many of the bloody whitelocks running around..
Sorry..
Cheetahs to take this.
Coenie to score a hat-trick.
Dagg and Maitland are both in my FL team
Did anyone notice I moved from 29th to 12 in FL this week?
If I was Philip Burger I’d also fake an injury if I had to face a 50 pointer.
Will mcgaw play ? Will carter play?
Wouldve have loved to have juan smith play in this game.. Imagine the sight of him slapping sbw away like a irritating fly with one of his powerful hand-offs!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) : I did, well done
They are in my team too 
I am seeing a great upset here
Would be awesome if cheetahs can upset the saders!
@Bergshark
What does the article say? It says that McCaw and Carter will both likely play..
But the team sheet isn’t out yet..was more a case of asking :will those two play or one of them? Or will they be rested for another game -to ensure they don’t pick up any unnecessary injuries in a game the saders are most likely thinking they should get 5 ( but let’s not forget 2009 in bloem)..
Would be nice to see richie and brussow go at it..
Would love an upset here! But the Crusaders will be far too strong!
I can honestly see the cheetahs giving these guys..if they played like they did against the lions they should really push the crusaders..n we all know those boerijkies down south aint scared of no kiwi..
And it would help the sharks dearly..
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) :
I did a you were big mover …. will be interesting how our leader fares over the next few rounds with the Stormers on the road.
Good luck on joining the ‘Top 10 Club’
Dagg and Maitland are both in my side as well thinking of trading them out, as reports look like they may not be back for over a month !
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 11) :
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 15) : I don’t have that luxury
Have one trade left and will keep it for a vital trade.
Both of them will play in the final so dropping them now only to see them score a try a piece in the final will be heartbreak.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 15) : Those dirty Stormer bastards
@KSA Shark © (Comment 17) : I’m all out of trades as well. Some dumb trades but mostly injury enforced. Damn flyhalfs cost me a lot of points.
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 19) : @KSA Shark © (Comment 17) :
I’m all out of trades as well
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 20) :
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 20) : You had 10 last week if my memory serves me correctly.
Big number of trades this week?
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 21) : @KSA Shark © (Comment 22) :
I am finding it a little boring getting cleaned up by Goggabies every week.
Does he not realise I take this competition very seriously !
@KSA Shark © (Comment 22) : He still has 9 trades, lying bastard
I’m 9 points behind HH and 10 behind Zeke.
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 25) :
You will be hoping the Tahs and Sharks make the finals !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 26) : Saders and Sharks actually, Tahs need to make the semies
@Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 27) :
Well last 6 is what I was meaning you look to have a very compact squad !
Tahs and Bulls look like they will be very luck to make the last 6
Saders, Reds, Stormers, Blues and two others from Sharks, Bulls, Tahs someone is going to miss out, most likely the BULLS
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 28) :
….and I have 4 Bulls at the minute may be time to get rid of them ?
Then again I think a few people have the odd Bull !
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 28) : Hopefully Sharks and Tahs
A Win/Win situation for me!
If the Crusers win by a mile I`ll laugh at Naka, if FS get a remarkeble result I`ll ridicule the ” acclaimed Springbok Centre Combination” . . .
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 11) : Wouldn`t it be silly to risk their big names in Bloem when they can do the job without them?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) :
You got MVP this week, well done boet..
Im slowly sneaking up, but I cannot see myself pushing the leaders.
Hoping for a top ten finish if I am lucky..
Injuries are now starting to cost me.
GO Cheetahs GO
@chaz (Comment 34) : Carefull now, we still have to face them in Bloem . . .