Cheetahs changed for Newlands showdown

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs team to face Western Province in a Currie Cup Round Eight match at Newlands on Saturday shows several changes.

Coach Hawies Fourie has made four changes to the starting line-up.

In the backline, Reinhardt Fortuin and Brandon Thomson switch places - with Fortuin starting on flyhalf.

On the wing, Cohen Jasper replaces Rosko Specman - who was recalled to the Springbok camp.

Aranos Coetzee returns in place of Hencus van Wyk at tighthead prop, Van Wyk playing off the bench.

Junior Pokomela will be wearing the No.7. jersey.

Tian Meyer and Mihlali Mosi are new to the bench.

Players not eligible for team selection due to injury include Craig Barry (hamstring), Andisa Ntsila (hamstring), Marcell Muller (hamstring), George Cronje (knee), Conraad van Vuuren (shoulder) and Oupa Mohoje (calf).

(Full team below ...)

Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Duncan Saal, 13 David Brits, 12 Siya Masuku, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Aidon Davis, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Jeandré Rudolph, 5 Jean Droste, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Aluluthu Tshakweni.

Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Victor Sekekete, 20 Mihlali Mosi, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Brandon Thomson, 23 Chris Smit.

Date: Saturday, August 7

Venue: Newlands, Cape Town

Kick-off: 14:30 (12.30 GMT)

Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Assistant referees: Local appointments

TMO: Egon Seconds.