Cheetahs limp into PE
The Free State Cheetahs will limp into Port Elizabeth on Friday with a changed team for their return match against the Eastern Province Kings in their promotion-relegation series.
The Cheetahs, who take a 39-point advantage into the second encounter and require just one point on the standings to retain their Currie Cup status, were forced to make a number of changes courtesy of injuries suffered in their 53-14 win in Bloemfontein last week.
Flank Pieter Labuschagne has been added to the extraordinary list of loose forwards ruled out for the season.
Labuschagne, who has been ruled out of the trip to Port Elizabeth on Friday, has been replaced in the starting XV by Springbok Davon Raubenheimer.
Hendrik Venter has been drafted from the Under-21 ranks and will provide cover on the bench.
Kings-bound centre Andries Strauss has also been ruled out, having suffered concussion and a shoulder injury in last week's encounter.
Philip Snyman comes into the midfield, while Sevens Bok Rayno Benjamin takes over from Nico Scheepers on the right wing.
The good news is that Perth-bound flyhalf Sias Ebersohn has been cleared after taking a knock to the head against the Kings last week.
Ebersohn, the twin brother of centre Robert, will make his final appearance for the Cheetahs before joining up with the Western Force next year.
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Rayno Benjamin, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Philip Snyman, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, , 4 Francois Uys, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Marcel van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Schalk van der Merwe, 18 Carl Wegner, 19 Hendrik Venter, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Barry Geel, 22 Nico Scheepers.
Date: Friday, October 26
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 19.10 (18.10 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant referees: Quintin Immelman, Cobus Wessels
TMO: Johann Meuwesen