The Cheetahs will be relying on Fran Steyn's kicking boot. Picture: Gallo Images
Two Springbok veterans, scrumhalf and captain Ruan Pienaar and centre Frans Steyn, will hold the key for the Cheetahs in their Preparation Series match against the Sharks in Bloemfontein on Wednesday night.
Having had a 10-day break since their opening 34-33 win over the Stormers in Cape Town, Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie has mixed and matched his combinations and made six changes to his charges for the mid-week clash, to be played at 7pm.
While most of the bigger franchises have given a lot of exposure to their former U-21 stars and wider squad members in the early stages of the warm-up campaign, Fourie has mostly stuck with his experienced group, while giving new signings an opportunity.
Pienaar is back as skipper in his first start since round two of the Super Rugby Unlocked series last year, and he will give direction to his troops, while Steyn’s composure and rich kicking form (having not missed in 32 attempts) will be vital for the home team.
Ruan Pienaar in action for the Cheetahs. Picture: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
It was in the scrums, however, that Fourie wasn’t impressed with the Cheetahs against the Stormers and he has named two new props in Cameron Dawson and Khutha Mchunu in the places of the injured Schalk Ferreira and Aranos Coetzee who will start from the bench.
With no trophy or log points at stake, the pressure won’t be that high, but the Sharks won’t easily forget the 37-10 drubbing they suffered against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in the recent Currie Cup competition.
Sharks coach Sean Everitt has kept continuity while making three changes to his team which beat Griquas 35-10 in their first outing.
Everitt has given young wing Thaakir Abrahams a starting opportunity, rotating him with Werner Kok, while he has also made some exciting changes at flyhalf and tighthead.
ALSO READ: Rotation is key in a busy rugby season, says Sharks coach Everitt
The innovative skills of former Western Province player Jordan Chait will be tested at flyhalf after he was named ahead of Manie Libbok, while at tighthead John-Hubert Meyer starts ahead of former Province prop Michael Kumbirai.
Exciting young prop Ntuthuko Mchunu also gets another chance to impress from the bench after he made a significant impact from the wood in the Griquas match.
Mchunu has already been likened to Bok legend Beast Mtawarira, as like Mtawarira he has also made the transition from loose forward and could be another star in the making.
Interestingly, the Sharks will have a former Cheetahs lock on their bench in Reniel Hugo, and the Cheetahs have a former Sharks lock on their bench in Jean Drotste, and both will be eager to impress in their first outings for their adoptive provinces.
For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.
