Cape Town - Cheetahs coach Franco Smith has announced his team for Saturday’s Currie Cup clash against the Eastern Province Kings in Bloemfontein.
Scrumhalf Tian Meyer remains as captain, with regular skipper Francois Venter still sidelined with injury.
Smith made a few changes to the squad that beat Western Province 32-25 at Newlands two weeks ago.
The coach has opted for his first-choice front row, with Namibian Torsten van Jaarsveld replacing Jacques du Toit at hooker and props Tom Botha and Ox Nche replacing Johan Coetzee and Charles Marais respectively.
A further addition to the side is the inclusion of centre Michael van der Spuy on the bench.
Kick-off for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 15:00.
Teams:
Free State Cheetahs
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Rayno Benjamin, 13 Nico Lee, 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Tian Meyer (captain), 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Justin Basson, 19 Henco Venter, 20 Shaun Venter, 21 Niel Marais, 22 Michael van der Spuy
EP Kings
15 Johan Tromp, 14 Siviwe Soyizwapi, 13 JC Greyling, 12 Burton Klaasen, 11 Sampie Mastriet, 10 Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 9 Ricky Schroeder (captain), 8 Christiaan de Bruin, 7 Etienne Oosthuizen, 6 Vince Jobo, 5 Sebastian Ferreira, 4 Dylan Pieterse, 3 Vukile Sofisa, 2 Mike Willemse, 1 Justin Forwood
Substitutes: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Barend Potgieter, 18 Hannes Huishamen, 19 Brandon Brown, 20 Vian van der Watt, 21 Kobus Marais, 22 Gainfried May