Cheetahs ring the changes for Jaguares

Cheetahs coach Franco Smith has rotated his squad for Saturday’s clash against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.

After three successive home games‚ of which the Cheetahs won two‚ there is a sense that Smith has conceded that winning in Argentina is going to be difficult‚ and decided to protect some key players.

Scrumhalf Tian Meyer will lead the team with hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld being rested for this match.

It gives former SA Under-20 hooker Joseph Dwebe a chance to make his Super Rugby debut if he takes the field.

Smith has also bracketed centre William Small-Smith with flank Boom Prinsloo on the bench‚ which indicates he is undecided on his precise gameplan and whether to have a six/two split between forwards and backs.

• Southern Kings and Cheetahs set to be axed from Super RugbySouth Africa‚ New Zealand‚ Australia and Argentina Rugby (SANZAAR) will reveal its new Super Rugby format in the coming week‚ which will again change the landscape of the tournament. 

Small-Smith‚ Prinsloo‚ lock Carl Wegner and reserve scrumhalf Shaun Venter have all overcome injuries and will relish the chance to get their season’s up and running.

Smith also rotated the starting front row with props Danie Mienie‚ Tom Botha and hooker Elandre Huggett running on.

Flyhalf Fred Zeilinga‚ who has been in excellent form this season‚ is also benched with Neil Marais starting.

The latter was impressive when he came off the wood and played centre during last week’s 38-31 win over the Sunwolves.

Bruising looseforward Paul Schoeman‚ who is on the bench this weekend‚ but said he expected a tough physical challenge from the Jaguares.

• Ackermann admits he is considering a job offer from English team GloucesterLions coach Johan Ackermann admitted he is considering an offer to join English team Gloucester next season. 

Schoeman left the field early during last week’s victory over the Sunwolves with suspected concussion‚ but he has cleared his protocols this week.

“It wasn’t good playing for such a short while‚ but it's part of the game‚” Schoeman told Bloenfontein radio station OFM.

“I felt good during my short time on the field‚ especially in defence. I didn’t really get much chance to run with the ball and it would have been a lekker game to finish.

“As far as the Jaguares are concerned they are much tougher to play over here but if I get a chance to play I can only give it my best.

“They physical aspect of the game suits me. The tougher the better.”

• Smith happy with the Cheetahs' defensive system despite conceding four triesCheetahs coach Franco Smith may have watched his team concede four tries in their 38-31 escape against the Sunwolves but said there was nothing wrong with his team's defensive system. 

Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies‚ 14 Ryno Benjamin‚ 13 Michael van der Spuy‚ 12 Clinton Swart‚ 11 Ruan van Rensburg‚ 10 Niel Marais‚ 9 Tian Meyer (c)‚ 8 Niell Jordaan‚ 7 Oupa Mohoje‚ 6 Henco Venter‚ 5 Francois Uys‚ 4 Armandt Koster‚ 3 Tom Botha‚ 2 Elandré Huggett‚ 1 Danie Mienie

Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba‚ 17 Charles Marais‚ 18 Johan Coetzee‚ 19 Carl Wegner‚ 20 Paul Schoeman‚ 21 William Small-Smith / Boom Prinsloo‚ 22 Shaun Venter‚ 23 Fred Zeilinga

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport