Pietersen at pivot for Cheetahs

Bloemfontein - Joe Pietersen will start at flyhalf for the Cheetahs in their Super Rugby opener against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday.

The former Stormers player cracked the nod ahead of Willie du Plessis, who is among the replacements.

Clayton Blommetjies also starts at right wing, with Springbok Cornal Hendricks playing off the bench.

Flank Heinrich Brussow was not considered after returning from his commitments in Japan concussed.

Kick-off for Saturday’s clash at Kings Park is scheduled for 17:05.

Teams:

Sharks:

TBA

Cheetahs:

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Clayton Blommetjies, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Joe Petersen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Jean Cook, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Minnie.

Substitutes: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 BG Uys, 18 Maks van Dyk, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Boom Prinsloo, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Willie du Plessis, 23 Cornal Hendricks