Photo Credit: Gallo Images
A fully fit again Ruan Pienaar is back in the Toyota Cheetahs starting line-up and will be leading the Cheetahs onto Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein tonight @ 19h00 when they take on the Cell C Sharks. The Cheetahs will be looking for their second big scalp of the Preparation Series while the Sharks will look to build on their second-half performance against the Griquas.
The Cheetahs held on to a 34-33 win against the Stormers in Cape Town last weekend while the Sharks had an "easy' win (35-10) against Griquas in round 1 of the preparation games.
The Cheetahs pack of forwards will have to do a lot better against the Sharks if they want to secure a second win against a "big" franchise.
Ruan Pienaar's return to the starting line-up will make a big change to the Cheetahs performance which could just be the difference.
The Sharks had a brilliant last 30 minutes against the Griquas. They should believe that if they can improve against the Cheetahs they could win with ease.
Toyota Cheetahs captain Ruan Pienaar has been eased back into action following a knee injury last year and played off the bench in their win again DHL Stormers late last month. He takes over from Tian Meyer, who moves to the bench.
Toyota Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie also included Malcolm Jaer in the starting line-up where he takes over from Duncan Saal.
There are several changes in the pack as well. Aidon Davis will start in the place of the injured Jeandre Rudolph (calf) while both props have been replaced.
Khutha Mchunu and Aranos Coetzee switch places at tighthead. Coetzee will be playing off the bench.
Cameron Dawson will be replacing the injured Schalk Ferreira (groin) as the loosehead, with Conraad van Vuuren adding cover.
Oupa Mohoje is another familiar face on the bench, but Jean Droste and Brandon Thomson will be making their debut for the Toyota Cheetahs when they set foot on to the field, with both named on the bench.
Charles Marais (neck), Junior Pokomela (wrist), William Small-Smith (concussion) and Louis van der Westhuizen (knee) were not considered due to injury.
Thaakir Abrahams, Jordan Chait and John-Hubert Meyer have been named in the Cell C Sharks’ starting line-up.
After beating Tafel Lager Griquas last Sunday, the Cell C Sharks will be up against a formidable opponent this week in what promises to be an exciting clash.
Jeremy Ward (centre) will again lead the Durbanites, with head coach Sean Everitt only slightly tweaking his side from the previous match, naming the same matchday 23, but making three rotational changes.
Meyer gets a start in the front row as he switches with Michael Kumbirai in the only change amongst the forwards, while Chait is named at flyhalf with Manie Libbok shifting to the bench.
The final change sees Abrahams and Werner Kok exchanging jerseys with the former getting an opportunity with a start on the wing.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Clayton Blommetjies, 14. Malcolm Jaer, 13. Chris Marais, 12. Frans Steyn, 11. Rosko Specman, 10. Reinhardt Fortuin, 9. Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8. Aidon Davis, 7. George Cronje, 6. Andisa Ntsila, 5. Rynier Bernardo, 4. Carl Wegner, 3. Khutha Mchunu, 2. Wilmar Arnoldi, 1. Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16. Marnus van der Merwe, 17. Conraad van Vuuren, 18. Aranos Coetzee, 19 Jean Droste, 20 Oupa Mohoje, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23. Duncan Saal.
Cell C Sharks: 15. Aphelele Fassi, 14. Thaakir Abrahams, 13. Jeremy Ward (captain), 12. Murray Koster, 11. Anthony Volmink, 10. Jordan Chait, 9. Grant Williams, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 7. Thembelani Bholi, 6. James Venter, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. JJ vd Mescht, 3.John-Hubert Meyer, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Khwezi Mona. Replacements: 16. Fez Mbatha, 17. Ntuthuka Mchunu, 18. Michael Kumbirai, 19. Reniel Hugo, 20. Mpilo Gumede, 21. Jaden Hendrikse, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Werner Kok.
