The Cheetahs have confirmed their line-up for a midweek fixture against the Griffons, with the match offering a number of fringe players, mostly from Griquas, the opportunity to stake a claim for Super Rugby selection for the central franchise.
The supposedly first-choice Cheetahs side was most unimpressive against a combined Border-SWD combination in the guise of the Southern Kings on Saturday and one would think that any decent performances on Tuesday night against the men from the Northern Free State will weigh heavily in Naka Drotske’s thinking when he names his combination to take on the Stormers this coming weekend.
Veteran winger Philip Burger, centre Barry Geel and wing True Blue Smit will be the only contracted Cheetahs player in the back line, with the balance made up of Griquas stalwarts, while the pack has a similarly turquoise hue. Locks Ockie van Zyl and Waltie Vermuelen play for the Cheetahs, as does flank Johan Wessels. Hooker Hercu Liebenberg is the younger brother of the Stormers’ Tiaan and would relish a crack at his older sibling, should he crack the nod to travel to Cape Town as back up to Adriaan Strauss.
Former Sharks XV players Justin Dowmey and Jean Stemmet will start at flank and centre respectively.
Cheetahs vs. Griffons: Rudi Vogt; Philip Burger, Jean Stemmet, Barry Geel, Wilmaure Louw; True Blue Smit, Jacques Coetzee; Leon Karemaker, Justin Downey, Johan Wessels, Waltie Vermeulen, Ockie van Zyl, Eugene Butterworth, Hercu Liebenberg, Janru van Niekerk.
Reserves: Ryno Barnes, Lourens Adriaanse, George Earl, Philip van der Walt, Marnus Hugo, Marnitz Boshoff, Matt Rosslee.
Tweet
Ah… only the 2 locks look like having a decent shot at making the match-22.
Bench looks reasonably impressive compared to the starting side š
Cheekwas or Grietahs
True Blue Smit???
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 3) : also known as Riaan.
Anyone else that would rather have Vogt at 15 before Daniller?
@LordHope (Comment 5) :
Willie le Roux?
This still is not a bad side, the Cheetahs might actually have a bit depth this year