The Cheetahs already are up against it having lost their captain Juan Smith as well as a host of players with injuries, and face a massive task for Saturday’s match, where they enter as heavy underdogs.
McCaw sat out the first two rounds of the competition, then started off the bench in round three before moving to blindside flank for the next five games. In New Zealand, where the openside flank usually plays in the No 7 jersey, as opposed to the No 6 in South Africa, the Crusaders preferred George Whitelock for the task.
But for the Cheetah game, Whitelock moves to blindside flank to allow the IRB Player of the year to settle into his preferred side of the scrum for the remainder of the competition.
In other news, Thomas Waldrom returns from a minor ankle sprain to the No 8 position to complete the loose-trio, while Andy Ellis, who missed the Waratahs match with concussion, is on the bench.
There are also shuffles in the front row, as Ben Franks replaces his sibling Owen at tighthead while out on the wing Sean Maitland moves to the left, with Jared Payne starting on the right wing. Zac Guilford is moved to the reserves bench.
The minor injury niggle that plagued Dan Carter has disappeared and the Crusaders talisman will take his place at flyhalf, with Dan Bowden covering off the bench in what would be his first appearance this season.
Two players who weren’t considered due to injury are loose forward Kieran Reid (shoulder) and midfielder Adam Whitelock (ankle sprain).
Teams:
Crusaders:
15. Colin Slade, 14. Jared Payne, 13. Tim Bateman, 12. Ryan Crotty, 11. Sean Maitland, 10. Dan Carter, 9. Kahn Fotuali'i, 8. Thomas Waldrom, 7. Richie McCaw (captain), 6. George Whitelock, 5. Sam Whitelock, 4. Chris Jack, 3. Ben Franks, 2. Ti'i Paulo, 1. Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes: 16. Daniel Perrin, 17. Owen Franks, 18. Brad Thorn, 19. Jonathan Poff, 20. Andy Ellis, 21. Daniel Bowden, 22. Zac Guildford
Cheetahs:
15. Hennie Daniller, 14. Danwel Demas 13. Corné Uys, 12. Barry Geel, 11. Jongi Nokwe, 10. Riaan Viljoen, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Davon Raubenheimer, 7. Barend Pieterse, 6. Hendro Scholtz, 5. Walti Vermeulen, 4. Izak van der Westhuizen, 3. WP Nel, 2. Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1. Coenie Oosthuizen
Substitutes: 16. Ryno Barnes, 17. Wian du Preez, 18. Nico Breedt, 19. Philip van der Walt, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Meyer Bosman, 22. Robert Ebersohn