Bulls face Cheetahs' claws again

04 March 2015 - 02:33 By Liam del Carme
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GOLDEN MANE: The Lions' Willie Britz, with ball, takes on Pat Cilliers, left, and Nizaam Carr at Ellis Park yesterday
GOLDEN MANE: The Lions' Willie Britz, with ball, takes on Pat Cilliers, left, and Nizaam Carr at Ellis Park yesterday
Image: JAMES OATWAY

One win in 13 games is not the kind of return that instils confidence, but the Cheetahs will draw from the fact that that singular success was achieved over the Bulls.

They broke their Super rugby duck against the Bulls in Bloemfontein in the first of their two derby matches last year, the same venue where they will be challenging Pierre Spies's side this weekend.

Last year's success over the Bulls has imbued them with confidence and it is apparent in their selection - having made just one enforced change to their starting lineup.

No8 Willie Britz injured his hamstring against the Blues on Friday and will be sidelined for around three weeks. His place goes to Jean Cook, who moves to the back of the scrum from flank, while Boom Prinsloo, who was a substitute in the opening two fixtures, will play in the No6 jersey.

Former Sharks lock Steven Sykes, on loan from the EP Kings, will take the place on the bench vacated by Prinsloo.

The Cheetahs went into the game against the Blues with two loose forwards among their reserves which meant they had no cover at lock. That made sense against the Blues, whose default setting is to explore the extremities of the field, but against the Bulls the Cheetahs feel that size matters.

Sykes's loan deal became all the more important after Lood de Jager was injured in the opening game against the Sharks.

Also on the bench is Johann Sadie, who is making a slower than expected re-entry into the side after being selected there for the match against the Blues. The team, however, is still without flank Heinrich Brüssow, who arrived in the country a month ago with concussion.

TV Highlights

Today

Cricket: World Cup, Pakistan vs UAE at 2.45am, Australia vs Afghanistan at 11.15am and Bangladesh vs Scotland at 11.45pm, all on SS2

Soccer: PSL, Chiefs vs Ajax at 7pm on SS4, FS Stars vs Pirates at 7pm on SS5; English Premier League, West Ham United vs Chelsea at 9pm on SS3, Liverpool vs Burnley at 10pm on SS4, Newcastle vs Man Utd at 9.35pm on SS5, QPR vs Arsenal at 9.35pm on SS6, Man City vs Leicester at 9.35pm on SS7, Stoke vs Everton at 9.35pm on SS8, Tottenham vs Swansea at 9.35pm on SS9

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