The Cheetahs and Kings have announced their lineups for Saturday’s Pro14 derby in Bloemfontein.
Franco Smith has made three changes to the Cheetahs’ run-on XV. In a direct swap in the backline, Louis Fouché comes at fullback with Malcolm Jaer rotating to the bench.
Among the forwards, Marnus van der Merwe starts at openside flank in place of the injured Gerhard Olivier, and Aranos Coetzee gets the nod at tighthead prop at the expense of Luan de Bruin.
Boan Venter and Erich de Jager are brought into the match 23 to provide prop cover off the bench.
On the Kings side, flyhalf Courtney Winnaar will make his debut for the Kings. Masixole Banda is back at fullback in place of Ulrich Beyers, while Berton Klaasen makes way for Fijian flyer Meli Rokoua.
Up front, coach Deon Davids has reshuffled his loose trio, with Tienie Burger and Steph de Wit coming in as the starting flanks. Dries van Schalkwyk moves from the side of the scrum to No 4 lock and Schalk Ferreira returns at loosehead prop.
Cheetahs – 15 Louis Fouché, 14 Tian Meyer (c), 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Dries Swanepoel, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Abongile Nonkontwana, 6 Marnus van der Merwe, 5 JP du Preez, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Joseph Deba, 1 Charles Marais.
Subs: 16 Reinach Venter, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Sintu Manjezi, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Malcolm Jaer, 23 Darron Adonis.
Kings – 15 Masixole Banda, 14 Meli Rokoua, 13 Harlon Klaasen, 12 Sibusiso Sithole, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Courtney Winnaar, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Ruaan Lerm, 7 Tienie Burger, 6 Steph de Wit, 5 JC Astle, 4 Dries van Schalkwyk, 3 De-Jay Terblanche, 2 Michael Willemse, 1 Schalk Ferreira.
Subs: 16 Alandre van Rooyen, 17 Xandre Vos, 18 Lupumlo Mguca, 19 Schalk Oelofse, 20 Jurie van Vuuren, 21 Rudi van Rooyen, 22 Bader Pretorius, 23 Ntabeni Dukisa.
Photo: www.fscheetahs.co.za
