Publications
Partners
Jóhann Thormählen
Bloemfontein - Losing two lineout specialists in the space of two weeks in the Super Rugby tournament has the potential to be any team's worst nightmare, but the Cheetahs have managed to overcome a host of injury setbacks to show their mettle.
And it's with that attitude that Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské and his side will travel to Pretoria for Saturday's match against the Bulls.
Drotské on Tuesday got the bad news that he will be without lock Wilhelm Steenkamp, who tore cartilage in a knee against the Melbourne Rebels. On top of that, Steenkamp will not play again in the tournament and may be out for months.
The Cheetahs also recently lost Waltie Vermeulen for the rest of the competition. He was concussed against the Crusaders and also sustained a shoulder injury.
Steenkamp's place in the starting line-up will be taken by former Ikey Martin Muller, who replaced him against the Rebels.
However, the visitors' lock problems do not end there. Izak van der Westhuizen still has a sore groin - an injury that he sustained in the Free State Vodacom Cup team's quarter-final against the Pampas XV.
If Van der Westhuizen is not declared fit, Griquas lock Hendrik Roodt will be included in the squad.
Lock problems certainly aren't what one would want going into a match against the Bulls' Springbok second-row pairing of Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.
However, the Cheetahs have demonstrated this year that they are able to cope with a lengthy injury list. They have already lost five loose forwards in Heinrich Brüssow (hamstring), Juan Smith (Achilles), Philip van der Walt (knee ligaments), Leon Karemaker (shoulder) and Frans Viljoen (arm).
That is why Drotské will continue to believe that his team - who won their fourth successive game against the Rebels - could still beat the Bulls.
"It's been a hallmark of the season that players get injured, others come into the side and perform well. It's particularly bad to lose two lineout locks in Wilhelm and Waltie," said Drotské.
Cheetahs team doctor Ian Morris said that Steenkamp had suffered a cartilage injury in his knee and ligaments may also be damaged.
"He will see a specialist on Monday and we'll know how serious it is after further examination. If it's only the cartilage he should be out for about six weeks, but it may be longer if the ligaments are also hurt," said Morris.
The only other change is on the wing, with Philip Snyman replacing the suspended Rayno Benjamin. Benjamin has been banned for two weeks following his headbutt against the Rebels.
Drotské said that the Cheetahs would not appeal the suspension as there is no video footage to prove his innocence.
Teams:
Bulls:
TBA
Cheetahs: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Riaan Smit, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Corné Uys, 11 Philip Snyman, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Davon Raubenheimer, 7 Ashley Johnson, 6 Kabamba Floors, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen. Substitutes: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Lourens Adriaanse, 18 Izak van der Westhuizen/Hendrik Roodt, 19 Johan Wessels, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Naas Olivier, 22 Hennie Daniller.
Bloemfontein - Losing two lineout specialists in the space of two weeks in the Super Rugby tournament has the potential to be any team's worst nightmare, but the Cheetahs have managed to overcome a host of injury setbacks to show their mettle.
And it's with that attitude that Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské and his side will travel to Pretoria for Saturday's match against the Bulls.
Drotské on Tuesday got the bad news that he will be without lock Wilhelm Steenkamp, who tore cartilage in a knee against the Melbourne Rebels. On top of that, Steenkamp will not play again in the tournament and may be out for months.
The Cheetahs also recently lost Waltie Vermeulen for the rest of the competition. He was concussed against the Crusaders and also sustained a shoulder injury.
Steenkamp's place in the starting line-up will be taken by former Ikey Martin Muller, who replaced him against the Rebels.
However, the visitors' lock problems do not end there. Izak van der Westhuizen still has a sore groin - an injury that he sustained in the Free State Vodacom Cup team's quarter-final against the Pampas XV.
If Van der Westhuizen is not declared fit, Griquas lock Hendrik Roodt will be included in the squad.
Lock problems certainly aren't what one would want going into a match against the Bulls' Springbok second-row pairing of Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.
However, the Cheetahs have demonstrated this year that they are able to cope with a lengthy injury list. They have already lost five loose forwards in Heinrich Brüssow (hamstring), Juan Smith (Achilles), Philip van der Walt (knee ligaments), Leon Karemaker (shoulder) and Frans Viljoen (arm).
That is why Drotské will continue to believe that his team - who won their fourth successive game against the Rebels - could still beat the Bulls.
"It's been a hallmark of the season that players get injured, others come into the side and perform well. It's particularly bad to lose two lineout locks in Wilhelm and Waltie," said Drotské.
Cheetahs team doctor Ian Morris said that Steenkamp had suffered a cartilage injury in his knee and ligaments may also be damaged.
"He will see a specialist on Monday and we'll know how serious it is after further examination. If it's only the cartilage he should be out for about six weeks, but it may be longer if the ligaments are also hurt," said Morris.
The only other change is on the wing, with Philip Snyman replacing the suspended Rayno Benjamin. Benjamin has been banned for two weeks following his headbutt against the Rebels.
Drotské said that the Cheetahs would not appeal the suspension as there is no video footage to prove his innocence.
Teams:
Bulls:
TBA
Cheetahs: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Riaan Smit, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Corné Uys, 11 Philip Snyman, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Davon Raubenheimer, 7 Ashley Johnson, 6 Kabamba Floors, 5 Martin Muller, 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen. Substitutes: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Lourens Adriaanse, 18 Izak van der Westhuizen/Hendrik Roodt, 19 Johan Wessels, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Naas Olivier, 22 Hennie Daniller.
