Naka Drotské
Toyota Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské has named a powerful team, including all his available Springboks, to face the Griffons in their final Super Rugby pre-season outing on Wednesday.
Fullback Willie le Roux tops the list of Bok stars that will run out at the Old Greys club in Bloemfontein.
Le Roux has overcome an ankle strain he suffered in last Friday’s loss to the Stormers.
Other Boks having a run include wings Cornal Hendricks and Raymond Rhule, flank Teboho ‘Oupa’ Mohoje, lock Lodewyk ‘Lood’ de Jager and prop Coenie Oosthuizen.
The bench features Sevens Bok Johannes ‘Boom’ Prinsloo and midfielder Johann Sadie – the latter just back from his stint in Japan.
However, his Red Hurricanes teammate Heinrich Brüssow – who is earmarked to be the Cheetahs captain this season – will not play in Wednesday’s outing.
Brüssow, who is struggling with concussion symptoms, is likely to make his comeback in the season-opener against the Sharks in Durban on 14 February – if he passes the necessary tests.
Joe Pietersen, who missed the Stormers game with injury, is also ready and will start at flyhalf.
Cheetahs: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Willie Britz (Captain), 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Jean Cook, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Minnie
Replacements – from: Caylib Oosthuizen, Stephan Coetzee, Ewald van der Westhuizen, Carel Greeff, Johannes Prinsloo, Tian Meyer, Willie du Plessis, Clayton Blommetjies, Johann Sadie.
Date: Wednesday 4 February
Venue: Old Greys club, Bloemfontein
Kick-Off: 16:00 SA Time (14:00 GMT)
Referee: TBC
rugby365