Brüssow benched by Cheetahs

Cape Town - After an almost four month absence due to a shoulder injury, Springbok flank Heinrich Brussow returns for the Cheetahs in their Super Rugby match against the Highlanders in Invercargill on Saturday.

Brussow is the only change to the Cheetahs side for their second match on tour and he will want to make his comeback count.

The absence of a recognised fetcher was evident in the Bloemfontein-based franchise's defeat to the Chiefs in Hamilton last week.

The Cheetahs gave away possession 13 times at the break-down area alone, so Brussow's availability will be a huge relief for coach Naka Drotske.

The open-side flank will make his return in the second half after being named on the bench to replace Boom Prinsloo.

"Heinrich will definitely feature against the Highlanders," Drotske said.

"Our effectiveness at the break-down area is of great concern and he will help us greatly in that regard. It is good to have him back."

Another area of concern was the Cheetahs' lack of defensive structure in the second half against the Chiefs.

The visitors were still in the game at the half-time break, but a lack of cohesion on defence led to a feast of tries for the defending Vodacom Super Rugby champions.

"It is another one of our structures that we've paid attention to this week," Drotske said.

Teams:

Highlanders:

TBA

Cheetahs:

15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Frans Viljoen, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane

Substitutes: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Rynhard Landman, 19 Heinrich Brüssow, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Riaan Smith, 22 Ryno Benjamin