Cheetahs change it up for Province
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Free State Cheetahs coach Franco Smith made a number of changes to his team for their Currie Cup crunch match against Western Province in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Joseph Dweba and Jacques du Toit switch places, with Dweba starting at hooker.
Abram Venter will be making his Currie Cup debut at tighthead prop, with Aranos Coetzee providing cover on the bench.
The lock pair is Sintu Manjezi and Walt Steenkamp, with Jean-Pierre du Preez on replacement bench.
Abongile Nonkontwana will be starting at flank, with Gerhard Olivier providing cover on the bench.
Tian Schoeman returns at flyhalf, after recovering from his injury - with Louis Fouche on the bench.
William Small-Smith moves to inside centre and Darren Adonis will be starting on the right wing.
Players are not eligible for selection due to injury include Teboho Mohoje (knee), Aidon Davis (leg fracture), Justin Basson (knee), Ali Mgijima (Achilles), Luan de Bruin (neck), Malcolm Jaer (groin), Daniel Maartens (ankle), Darren Adonis (hamstring), Marnus van der Merwe (foot), Adriaan Carelse (hand and Charles Marais (knee).
Ruben de Haas is with the United States World Cup team.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Darren Adonis, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Tian Meyer (captain), 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Henco Venter, 7 Abongile Nonkontwana, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Sintu Manjesi, 3 Abram Venter, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Schalk van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Retshegofaditswe Nche, 18 Aranos Coetzee, 19 Jean-Pierre du Preez, 20 Gerhard Olivier, 21 Jasper Wiese, 22 Dries Swanepoel/Dian Badenhorst, 22 Louis Fouche.
Date: Saturday, August 24
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 17.15 (15.15 GMT)
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant referees: Ruhan Meiring, Mpho Matsaung
TMO: JJ Wagner
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