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Fit-again Boks boost Cheetahs

Hendrik Cronjé

Bloemfontein - The Cheetahs will take on the Brumbies with their strongest forward pack of the season.

Springbok flank Heinrich Brüssow and hooker Adriaan Strauss were on Tuesday included in the their starting line-up for Friday's Super Rugby match at the Free State Stadium.

Strauss also takes over the captaincy from lock Wilhelm Steenkamp, who did a good job in the absence of the Bok hooker.

Strauss returned from a hand injury against the Hurricanes two weeks ago and immediately made a huge impact with his high work-rate as a strong ball-carrier and defender.

"I would say it's our strongest forward pack of the season with Heinrich available again and Frans Viljoen on the bench. Heinrich will play the first 40 minutes and Frans the second 40," said Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské.

Brüssow is in action for the first time since injuring his ribs during the Cheetahs' Australasian tour.

Viljoen was sidelined for almost the same period after injuring a hamstring in the tour victory over the Waratahs.

Brüssow and Viljoen will be equally hungry to make an impact for the Cheetahs, who have struggled to land knockout blows in the last 10 minutes of games this season.

"We have spoken this week about what we need to do to seal games in the last 10 minutes. There was a strong emphasis on the players having to believe that they can win. Hopefully that will help ensure that the players raise their intensity in the last 10 minutes," said Drotské.

The return of Brüssow and Viljoen will ensure that it's a tough match for the Brumbies in spite of the Cheetahs still soldiering on without Juan Smith and Philip van der Walt.

Drotské says the excellent form of scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius and flyhalf Sias Ebersohn gives him hope for their remaining games in the competition.

Unfortunately for the Cheetahs, sevens Springbok Rayno Benjamin has not recovered in time from his hamstring injury. He will probably only be considered next week, with Riaan "True Blue" Smit set to keep his place on the wing.

Smit played well in the narrow defeat to the Hurricanes in Benjamin's absence.

In a third change to the starting line-up, Corné Uys replaces the injured Barry Geel (dislocated finger) in the midfield.

Strauss and Brüssow replaces Ryno Barnes and Kabamba Floors (shoulder, sore finger) respectively.

Teams:

Cheetahs: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Philip Burger, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Corné Uys, 11 Riaan Smit, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Francois Uys, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen. Substitutes: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Lourens Adriaanse, 18 Martin Muller, 19 Frans Viljoen, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Naas Olivier, 22 Hennie Daniller.

Brumbies: TBA


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