The Cheetahs have thrown their Springboks straight back into the mix for their must-win clash with the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday.
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This approach is understandable considering the importance of the game. Within the Cheetahs starting XV there are four players that got game-time for the Springboks during the victorious four-nations tournament campaign. Trevor Nyakane was the other player to get match experience for South Africa – but he starts from the bench.
This is in contrast to what the Stormers have done heading into the match. Springbok captain Jean de Villiers will not be involved in the match this weekend and a number of the other Stormers national players sat out of training for a few days this week.
An advantage for the Cheetahs is that the likes of Pieter ‘Lappies’ Labuschagne, Robert Ebersohn and Lourens Adriaanse will all be well rested and more confident after spending valuable time in the national set-up.
Wille le Roux has been the catalyst to the Cheetahs on numerous ocassions this season and he grew into his role at fullback for the Springboks. Being able to hold his own at Test level can only give him more assurance going into this weekends fixture.
With the injury to Pierre Spies, Philip van der Walt will feel that he has a shot at the Bok No.8 jersey – or at least a place in the squad for the Rugby Championship – if he can string together a few more commanding performances.
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Riaan Smit, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Rynhardt Landman, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (Captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Petrus Vermeulen, 19 Johannes Prinsloo, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Elgar Watts, 22 Howard Mnisi.
Date: Saturday 29 June
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Kick-off: 19:15 SA Time (17:15 GMT)
Referee: Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Quinton Immelman (South Africa), Marc van Zyl (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)