Scholtz to start for Cheetahs

Bloemfontein - Veteran flank Hendro Scholtz has been promoted to the Free State Cheetahs starting line-up for their Currie Cup clash against the Golden Lions in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske called Scholtz out of retirement last week to help bolster a side that lacked loose forwards due to injuries.

And he impressed in the game against Western Province, so much so that Drotske has decided to give him a chance to prove himself against the Lions.

"Hendro did very well as an impact player against Western Province, both on defence and attack," Drotske said.

"We look forward to a good contribution from him against the Lions."

Davon Raubenheimer makes way for Scholtz, while young flyhalf Sias Ebersohn has relinquished his number ten jersey to Tewis de Bruyn.

Ebersohn has not been at his best this year and he lacked flair against a strong Province side last weekend. He is relegated to the bench.

In the only injury forced change, lock Francois Uys comes in for Andries Ferreira, who injured his knee against Western Province and will be out of action for the rest of the season.

Uys returns from a suspension, with young South African Under-20 player Carl Wegner on the bench.

Teams:

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Robert Ebersohn (captain), 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Tewis de Bruyn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Hendro Scholtz, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Francois Uys, 3 Marcell van der Merwe, 2 Hercu Liebenberg, 1 Schalk van der Merwe

Substitutes: 16 Elandre Huggett, 17 Ross Geldenhuys, 18 Carl Wegner, 19 Davon Raubenheimer, 20 Sias Ebersohn, 21 Philip Snyman, 22 Rayno Benjamin

Golden Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon Helberg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Alwyn Hollenbach, 11 Ruan Combrinck, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Michael Bondesio, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Willie Britz, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 Franco Van der Merwe, 4 Hendrik Roodt, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg (captain)

Substitutes: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Ruan Dreyer, 18 Etienne Oosthuizen, 19 Michael Rhodes, 20 Ross Cronje, 21 Butch James, 22 Jaco Taute