Cheetahs forced into changes for Dragons trip

Cape Town - The Cheetahs will have to make do without the services of Jasper Wiese and Chris Massyn for Saturday's PRO14 clash against the Dragons in Newport, forcing coach Hawies to make some changes to the side from last week. 

Gerhard Oliver will be replacing Massyn, who has returned back to South Africa with a concussion and Aidon Davis is the No 8, replacing Wiese who has been suspended for four matches for a dangerous cleanout against Ulster. Sias Koen will be providing cover on the bench. 

Last week’s loss for the Cheetahs saw them drop out of the top three in Conference A, and leaves them with some catching up to do, albeit with a run of home fixtures to come. 

They have won both of their previous meetings against the Dragons, including their sole trip to Rodney Parade.

Under Dean Ryan, the Dragons have won their last four at the ground in all competitions.

“We really want to finish off the tour on a high note with a win. All of our focus is on that,” said Fourie.    

Cheetahs:

15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Rhyno Smith, 13 William Small-Smith, 12 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 11 Craig Barry, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Gerhard Olivier, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Luan de Bruin, 2 Wilmar Arnoldi, 1 Boan Venter 

Substitutes: 16 Joseph Dweba; 17 Charles Marais, 18 Aranos Coetzee; 19 JP du Preez, 20 Sias Koen, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Louis Fouche, 23 Chris Smit