Caylib Oosthuizen
Coenie Oosthuizen
Coenie and Caylib Oosthuizen will not be available for the Cheetahs’ first Currie Cup match against the Pumas on Saturday in Nelspruit.
More scrum worries come in the form of Johannes Roux, who injured his arm against the EP Kings in a a warm match last Friday – he sat out of training on Monday.
It is hoped that Roux will be fit to play on Saturday, with the Free Staters looking thin in the front row.
With both Oosthuizens out and Trevor Nyakane with the Springboks, coach Rory Duncan looks set to blood some youngsters.
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Luan de Bruin and Roux, if fit are options at tighthead while Kevin Stevens and Rudolph Botha could provide cover on the loosehead.
There was some good news for the Cheetahs, with last year’s captain Johannes Prinsloo seeming fit to take to the field.
He will be able to fill the gap that Pieter Labuschagné, who has an injured groin, and Teboho Mohojé, who is with the Springboks, have left.
Coach Duncan will have to wait on the fitness of fellow loose forward Jean cook who has an ankle niggle.
Cook also sat out of Monday’s practice with a decision on whether he will play or not coming later in the week.
The Cheetahs have depth in the loose forward department with options to play Henco Venter, Neil Claassen, Tienie Burger or Vincent Jobo should Cook not be ready in time.
Clayton Flowers is another one that sat out of training on Monday but with Rayno Benjamin looking set to start on the wing rather than centre, Flowers has every chance of playing fullback should he be declared fit.