Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has included two Springbok stalwarts in his run on side for their Super Rugby encounter against the Western Force in Bloemfontein on Saturday afternoon.
Flyhalf Johan Goosen and prop Coenie Oosthuizen are back in the starting line-up after making an impact from the bench against the Bulls in Pretoria last week.
Goosen, who has recovered from a concussion, replaces Elgar Watts, while Oosthuizen comes in for Maks van Dyk at tight head prop. Both Watts and Van Dyk find themselves among the replacements.
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“It is good to have both Johan and Coenie back. They are two quality players that are very influential in the way we want to play,” Drotsk said.
“Coenie played 30 minutes against the Bulls and I think he showed he is ready for more this week. We will see how it goes with his fitness, but we are excited to have him back.
“Goose has had a rough patch were he had a couple of niggles, so hopefully everything is now 100 percent fine and he can play longer.”
The coach opted to include winger Raymond Rhule in the side even though he aggravated an ankle injury against the Bulls. Should he not recover in time, Springbok sevens player Cornal Hendricks would be promoted from the bench.
“If Raymond cannot play, Cornal will come into the starting line-up and Howard Mnisi will sit on the bench. It looks like Raymond will play and our medical team is confident that he will be ready to face the Force.
“Both of them are playing very well, so we should be fine should Raymond need to sit out for another week.”
With flanker Jean Cook sidelined with a shoulder injury after the last game, versatile loose forward and lock Teboho Mohoje gets his chance in what will be his run on dbut against the Force.
“Teboho is very quick on the attack and a quality jumper in the lineouts where he contests well. It is time for him to make the step up and show that he can play Super Rugby and start on a regular basis,” Drotsk said.
“He has done well thus far, but this is the first start for him and a good opportunity to show he can play the full 80 minutes.”
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Raymond Rhule / Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Rayno Benjamin, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Sarel Pretorius 8 Boom Prinsloo, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Heinrich Brssow, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Adriaan Strauss (Captain), 1 Caylib Oosthuizen
Replacements: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Maks van Dyk, 19 Carel Greeff, 20 Waltie Vermeulen, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Elgar Watts, 23 Cornal Hendricks / Howard Mnisi.