Cheetahs forced to change wing for WP clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie has revealed his team to face Western Province in their crucial Currie Cup Round Six match in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

There are two changes to the starting XV that thumped the Sharks 37-10 at the Free State Stadium last weekend.

In the backline, Rhyno Smith will be replacing William Small-Smith (knee injury) on the wing.

In the pack, Wilmar Arnoldi returns from injury and will be the starting hooker with Marnus van der Merwe dropping down to the bench.

Meanwhile, Erich de Jager and Chris Massyn are included on the bench this week.

Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Rhyno Smith, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruben de Haas, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Carl Wegner (captain), 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Wilmar Arnoldi, 1 Boan Venter.

Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Erich de Jager, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Victor Sekekete, 20 Chris Massyn, 21 George Cronje, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Tian Meyer.

Date: Saturday, January 2

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 16.30 (14.30)

Referee: Stuart Berry

Assistant Referees: Griffin Colby, Egon Seconds

TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen