The Cheetahs will travel to Newlands on Saturday with confidence after coming within two points of beating the defending champions last week, the Free State team’s coach Naka Drotske said on Wednesday.
“Playing the Stormers at Newlands is always tough, but after coming so close against the Bulls last week, the players have gained the confidence needed to win against sides of championship quality,” said Drotske.
Injuries sustained in last week’s match against the Bulls, which they lost 23-25, will make it even tougher for the men from Bloemfontein.
They lost Springbok stalwart Juan Smith (Achillies) early in the match and later fellow loose-forward Frans Viljoen picked-up a hamstring injury.
Drotske said the loss of two of his top men is part of the reason why he decided not to include star fetcher Heinrich Brussow in his team this week.
“We are not willing to risk him at this level of the game yet as he has only played 40 minutes for the Vodacom Cup side.
“We simply cannot afford to lose another loose-forward,” he added.
Smith’s place at the side of the scrum will be filled by Francois Uys with Cheetahs’ Currie Cup Player-of-the-Year Ashley Johnson coming in as eighthman after he made a huge impact when he came on against the Bulls.
As for Smith’s leadership role in the team, flyhalf Naas Olivier has been appointed captain while former Bulls’ lock Wilhelm Steenkamp will take charge of the forwards as vice captain.
“Wilhelm is a natural leader who has shown that he can make good calls under pressure,” said the coach.
On the bench Martin Muller will provide second-row cover with Philip van der Walt as the loose-forward on standby.
Team: Hennie Daniller, Philip Snyman, Robert Ebersohn, Andries Strauss, Ryno Benjamin, Naas Olivier, Sarel Pretorius, Ashley Johnson, Francois Uys, Kabamba Floors, Wilhelm Steenkamp (vc), Waltie Vermeulen, WP Nel, Ryno Barnes, Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: Skipper Badenhorst, Kobus Calldo, Martin Muller, Philip van der Walt, Tewis de Bruyn, Sias Ebersohn, Riaan Viljoen.
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