Cheetahs: 'Exactly what we were looking for'

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs will be heading to Welkom on Friday, November 25, for their second warm-up match against Griffons.

The team will depart Bloemfontein on Monday, ahead of their European venture - a Challenge Cup debut against Pau on December 10.

Cheetah coach Hawies Fourie said he was pleased with the 'practice' they got in their first pre-season warm-up game against the Sharks last Friday, despite suffering a 19-22 loss in Durban.

"It was a very physical game, exactly what we were looking for," Fourie said.

"The slippery ball made it difficult to play attacking rugby, and both teams scored maul tries.

"We are happy with the quality of play we saw against the Sharks.

"All the players showed great effort, and we are glad to have had this opportunity.

"We will focus on our attack for the next two weeks and how to play in the European conditions," the coach added.

Players not eligible for selection due to injury include Jean Droste (knee), Alulutho Tshakweni, Friedle Olivier (hamstring), Frans Steyn (knee), Thabang Mahlatsi (Achilles), Andisa Ntsila (knee), Gideon van der Merwe (shoulder) and Zinedine Booysen (ankle).

Cheetahs: 15 Andell Loubser, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Britz, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Tapiwa Mafura, 10 Siyabonga Masuku, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Hencus Van Wyk, 2 Marko Janse Van Rensburg, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements - from: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Mxoli Nqobisizwe, 19 Rynier Bernardo, 20 Roelof Smit, 21 Sibabalo Xoma, 22 Branden de Kock, 23 Enver Brandt, 24 Robert Ebersohn, 25 Evardi Boshoff, 26 Munier Hartzenberg, 27 Cohen Jasper

Date: Friday, November 25

Venue: Griffons Stadium, Welkom

Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)

* Photo credit: Howard Cleland