Jóhann Thormählen

Bloemfontein – Corné Uys may be fit, but the Cheetahs are likely to stick with Robert Ebersohn to mark Stormers star Jaque Fourie in the midfield in Saturday’s Super14 match at Newlands.

Uys, who is returning from an ankle injury, trained with the Cheetahs again on Monday, but coach Naka Drotské is unlikely to change his winning combination.

Ebersohn made a good Super14 debut in the Cheetahs’ 28-12 win over the Hurricanes and is likely to partner Meyer Bosman in midfield.

Uys tore ankle ligaments in the Cheetahs’ first game against the Bulls and may well be on the substitutes bench against his former team.

Cheetahs backline coach Hawies Fourie said that Uys would definitely be considered for the game.

“It looks as if he will be completely ready and we can bring him into the 22-man squad. However, we will not really change the winning formula against the Hurricanes,” he said.

Ebersohn was one of four successful changes the Cheetahs’ coaching staff had made against the Hurricanes.

The 21-year-old centre looked to be forming a promising midfield partnership with Bosman and they complemented one another well.

Bosman offers physicality and is an added midfield schemer, while Ebersohn’s pace and creativity creates opportunities for wings Lionel Mapoe and Jongi Nokwe.

On top of that Ebersohn  was not at all scared to take on the New Zealanders physically, in spite of his smaller stature. He showed that he can also be a force at Super14 level.

Fourie said that Ebersohn had taken his chance.

“Robert defended well and his work-rate was high.”