Injuries rock Griquas' boat

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Griquas coach Scott Mathie has been forced into making a number of changes to his team for their midweek trip to Bloemfontein.

The Cheetahs host Griquas in a Currie Cup Round 12 crunch clash - the visitors desperate to stay in the top four, with the play-offs fast approaching.

However, a number of injuries - suffered in the 33-56 loss to the table-topping Bulls in Pretoria last week - have resulted in changes to the Kimberley-based outfit.

Outside back Enver Brandt has been replaced by James Verity-Amm - who is on loan, after signing with the Bulls earlier this year.

Tighthead prop Janu Botha has also been ruled out, with Erich de Jager starting in the No.3 jersey.

The loose trio has also been revamped - captain Ruan Steenkamp moving from flank to No.8, Gideon van der Merwe coming into the vacancy at No.6 created by Steenkamp's position switch and (captain), Hanru Sirgel taking over the No.7 jersey from Luyolo Dapula, who drops down to the bench.

The other change is at lock - where Adré Smith starts at No.4 and Stefan Willemse moving to No.5 - pushing Cameron Lindsay down to an extended bench.

Griquas: 15 Ashlon Davids, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Chris Hollis, 12 Johnathan Francke, 11 James Verity-Amm, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Ruan Steenkamp (captain), 7 Hanru Sirgel, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Stefan Willemse, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Erich de Jager, 2 Alandré van Rooyen, 1 Nqobisizwe Mxoli.

Replacements - from: 16 Janco Uys, 17 Andrew Beerwinkel, 18 Andries Schutte, 19 Johan Momsen, 20 Luyolo Dapula, 21 Raegan Oranje, 22 André Swarts, 23 Ederies Arendse, 24 Andrew Kuhn, 25 Cameron Lindsay, 26 Fiela Boshoff.

Date: Wednesday, August 18

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 16.45 (14.45 GMT)

Referee: Griffin Colby

Assistant referees: Local appointments

TMO: Ben Crouse