The Toyota Cheetahs will get their first taste of action in 2021 when they travel up the N8 to Kimberley to face Tafel Lager Griquas in a Central Derby on Saturday.
The Peacock Blues recently won a warm-up clash between the two sides, but the Free Staters are known for putting their best foot forward in the Carling Currie Cup and the hosts in Kimberley will take nothing for granted.
The last time they met, in January, the Toyota Cheetahs won thanks to the irrepressible boot of Springbok Frans Steyn, even though Tafel Lager Griquas outscored their neighbours by two tries to one in Kimberley.
Steyn is currently in camp with the national team, but the Toyota Cheetahs will have their other Springbok talisman, Ruan Pienaar, back on duty for this clash.
Prediction: Griquas may have the edge on the Cheetahs regarding selection continuity and having already played a game already, however, expect a Cheetahs team that will come out guns blazing. Coach Hawies said they will stick to their brand of rugby and I expect that the last 20 minutes of the game could see the Cheetahs run Griquas off their feet. However, expect a tight game on the scoreboard with the bounce of the ball the deciding factor.
Tafel Lager Griquas' Scott Mathie has announced his squad with four changes made to the starting line-up. At the back, Jay-Cee Nel, who will make his Currie Cup debut for Griquas replaces Ederies Arense at the outside centre. Arendse moves to the bench.
Upfront Ewald vd Westhuizen replaces Andries Schutte at tighthead while Jeandre Leonard is promoted from the bench in place of Mzwanele Zito at lock.
In the third change upfront Hanru Sirgel replaces captain Ruan Steenkamp who is not available due to personal reasons. Stefan Ungerer will take over the captaincy for this match.
Coach Hawies Fourie announced the Toyota Cheetahs squad to travel to Kimberley which shows seven changes to the team that lost to Griquas two weeks ago in a warmup match.
Six of those changes were made upfront while thirteen players will make their debut for the Toyota Cheetahs in the Currie Cup competition.
Positive Covid19 test and injuries had a major impact on the team announced. The following players are not eligible for team selection due to injury: Junior Pokomela (wrist), Oupa Mohoje (calf), Chris Smit (calf), Craig Barry (hamstring), Malcolm Jaer (hamstring), Andisa Ntsila (hamstring), Marcell Muller (hamstring).
Conraad van Vuuren on suspension and will be available for selection next week.
Tafel lager Griquas: 15. Masixole Banda, 14. Daniel Kasende, 13. Jay Cee Nel (Debut), 12. Andre Swarts, 11. Eduan Keyter, 10. George Whitehead, 9. Stefan Ungerer ©, 8. Hanru Sirgel, 7. Sibabalo Qoma, 6. Gideon Van Der Merwe, 5. Cameron Lindsay, 4. Jeandre Leonard, 3. Ewald Van Der Westhuizen, 2. Janco Uys, 1. Andrew Beerwinkel. Replacements: 16. HJ Luus, 17. Andrew Kuhn, 18. Janu Botha (Debut), 19. Mzwanele Zito, 20. Henco Beukes (Debut), 21. Raegan Oranje, 22. Theo Boshoff, 23. Ederies Arendse, 24. Ashlon Davids, 25. Enver Brandt, 26. Tijde Visser.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Clayton Blommetjies, 14. Duncan Saal, 13. Evardi Boshoff, 12. Howard Mnisi, 11. Tian Meyer, 10. Reinhardt Fortuin, 9. Ruan Pienaar (C ), 8. Gideon van Wyk, 7. Jacques Potgieter, 6. Jean Droste, 5. Rynier Bernardo, 4. Victor Sekekete, 3. Aranos Coetzee, 2. Wilmar Arnoldi, 1.Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16. Janus Venter, 17. Aluluthu Tshakweni, 18. Hencus van Wyk, 19. Reinier Viljoen, 20. Luan Potgieter, 21. Mihlali Mosi, 22. David Brits, 23. Cohen Jasper.