Cheetahs opt for 'more speed' in top of the table clash

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie made a number of changes to his team for their Currie Cup Round 14 encounter with the Bulls in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Fourie added significant pace to his backline, as the hosts look to end a two-match losing streak and overtake the Bulls in the race for the top spot in the standings.

Clayton Blommetjies, who played off the bench in the loss to the Pumas last week, starts at fullback in place of Cohen Jasper - who misses out on the matchday squad this week.

David Brits starts at outside centre in place of Robert Ebersohn, who drops down to the replacement bench - featuring a six forwards and two backs split.

"It was a close call," the coach said about the selection for the No.13 jersey, adding: "We need to score four tries and a feel that Brits has more pace than Ebersohn and also a good passing game.

"Robert is a good defender and better at the breakdown.

"We had to make a call between those two skillsets."

The final backline change is at flyhalf, where Siyabonga Masuku returns after missing last week as a result of illness and replaces George Lourens - who also misses out this week.

There are two changes in the pack.

Cameron Dawson takes over at loosehead prop from Schalk Ferreira in a rotation.

At flank, Andisa Ntsila starts as the openside, with Gideon van der Merwe getting a break this week - having taken a 'few heavy shots' in the last three rounds.

"He wasn't concussed last week and could have played on Saturday if we needed him," Fourie said.

"He had a lot of niggles, so he did not train this week and we gave him time for his body to recover.

"He does a lot of work in the game and we will need him to be fresh and ready in the play-offs."

Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Siyabonga Masuku, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Aidon Davis, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Cameron Dawson.

Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Marne Coetzee, 19 Ockie Barnard, 20 George Cronje, 21 Mihlali Mosi, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 Robert Ebersohn.

Date: Saturday, June 11

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 17.45 (15.45 GMT)

Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

Assistant referees: Christopher Allison, Jaco Kotze

TMO: Marius Jonker