Naka Drotske has named his strongest available side to face the Bulls this weekend in Bloemfontein, with Adriaan Strauss and Coenie Oosthuizen returning from Bok duty to bolster a front row that has failed to impose itself thus far in the Currie Cup.
Oosthuizen, who despite the evidence available to anyone is clearly not a tight head prop, continues to be used in that position by Bok coach Heyneke Meyer at test level; Drotske has more sensibly included him at loosehead this week in an all-Bok front row. Strauss replaces Hercu Liebenberg at hooker, with Trevor Nyakane continuing in the number 3 jersey.
Philip van der Walt returns to the starting line-up this week too, moving into his favoured number 8 position. Boom Prinsloo, from whom Strauss takes the captaincy, will play at open side flank.
The backs are mostly unchanged; Rayno Benjamin replaces Piet Lindeque in the only change. SuperSport’s Brendan Nel, however, alleges that Johan Goosen may feature as a last-minute addition to the 22 should he pass a late fitness test.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Rayno Benjamin, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Pieter Labuschagné, 6 Johannes Prinsloo, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Francois Uys, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 AJ le Roux, 17 Schalk van der Merwe, 18 Freddie Ngoza, 19 Teboho Mohoje, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Piet Lindeque, 22 Willie du Plessis.
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Two very tough encounters this weekend. Wouldn’t want to be a gambling man.
Where is Willie Le Who?
@Volstruis (Comment 2) : He’s with the Kwas for now.
Why is Oosthuizen at loose-head? Oh that’s right, because he’s a loose-head.
@Volstruis (Comment 2) : remember he’s still a Griquas player until the end of the season.
They’ll want him to promo-relegation, hence he’s not playing this weekend.
@David12246 (Comment 4) : ah yes – that would be it
@robdylan (Comment 5) : Where is he moving?
@David12246 (Comment 7) : to the Cheetahs
As in for SR like usual or permanently?
@David12246 (Comment 9) : no, permanently.
He’ll theoretically play Currie Cup for them next year, instead of Griquas.