Surprising Cheetahs line-up

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske sprang a few surprises when he named his team for Friday's Super 14 opener against the Bulls in Bloemfontein.

Twenty-year-old flyhalf Sias Ebersohn will be on the bench and Riaan Viljoen is preferred to Hennie Daniller at fullback.

Viljoen's howitzer boot landed him several 60m-plus kicks during last year's Currie Cup competition.

But the Springbok tourist won't be the designated kicker now that flyhalf Naas Olivier has passed a late fitness test. Ebersohn will be providing cover from the bench.

Drotske chose Ebersohn because Olivier has not trained much because of a knee injury and is unlikely to make the full 80 minutes.

Little-known lock Walti Vermeulen is one of four Super 14 debutantes on the bench, with prop Coenie Oosthuizen, hooker Ryno Barnes and Ebersohn.

No8 Ashley Johnson, Viljoen and right wing Lionel Mapoe will also make their Super 14 debuts.

But Drotske had the luxury of naming seven Springboks in his starting line-up: Viljoen, centre Meyer Bosman, wing Jongi Nokwe, flanks Juan Smith and Heinrich Brussow, hooker Adriaan Strauss and prop Wian du Preez.

Cheetahs: Riaan Viljoen, Lionel Mapoe, Corne Uys, Meyer Bosman, Jongi Nokwe, Naas Olivier, Tewis de Bruyn, Ashley Johnson, Juan Smith (captain), Heinrich Brussow, David de Villiers, Nico Breedt, WP Nel, Adriaan Strauss, Wian du Preez: Reserves: Ryno Barnes, Coenie Oosthuizen, Walti Vermeulen, Frans Viljoen, Sarel Pretorius, Sias Ebersohn, Danwel Demas.