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Van Zyl scare for Cheetahs

Cape Town - The Cheetahs could be without the services of Springbok scrumhalf Piet van Zyl in their Super Rugby clash against the Blues.

According to the Volksblad website, Van Zyl injured his ankle in practice and will be given until after Friday's practice run to prove his fitness, thus joining fullback Hennie Daniller and prop Coenie Oosthuizen as doubtful starters for Saturday's clash at the Free State Stadium.

Coach Naka Drotské on Wednesday announced an unchanged side for the clash against the Blues, but indicated Van Zyl, Daniller and Oosthuizen's inclusion was pending results of a fitness test undertaken the day before the game.

Daniller injured his knee in the captains run last week before the game against the Stormers and is still doubtful for the all important clash against the New Zealand side.

The same goes for Oosthuizen, who got a knock on the knee in the Cheetahs' 28-3 drubbing against the Cape Town-based outfit.

Cheetahs backline coach Hawies Fourie said it wasn't needed for Van Zyl to undergo a scan, as he likely did not tore ligaments.

They will bank on Van Zyl's fitness though, as back-up scrumhalf Tewis de Bruyn (hip) is also struggling with an injury, which would leave Sarel Pretorius as the only remaining fit No 9.

Should Daniller not be eligible, Springbok fullback Willie le Roux will again move from wing into the No 15 jumper like he did against the Stormers, while Rayno Benjamin gets a promotion to the starting line-up.

If Oosthuizen does not make the cut, he will be replaced by another Springbok in the form of Trevor Nyakane.

The clash in Bloemfontein kicks off at 14:50 on Saturday.

Teams:

Cheetahs:

15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Riaan Smit, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Ligtoring Landman, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.

Substitutes: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Boom Prinsloo, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Elgar Watts, 22 Rayno Benjamin

Blues:


TBA
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