Injury forces Hawies to make one change for Currie Cup Final
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs host the Pumas in the Currie Cup Final in Bloemfontein on Saturday in what will be their 16th Final, but will do so without their experienced prop Schalk Ferreira.
The 39-year-old frontranker sustained a massive blow to the jaw in the Cheetahs’ thumping 39-10 win in the semifinal against the Bulls last weekend.
Earlier in the week coach Hawies Fourie was confident that Ferreira will be ready for this weekend, but it seems the prop did not pass his fitness test in time.
“It is a big concern. Obviously they will have to pass the (HIA) tests. We will see how it goes in the week,” Fourie said.
Nqobisizwe Moxoli, who had some game time last week, will run out in the number one jumper in Ferreira’s place.
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It is the first time these two teams will face each other in a Currie Cup Final, but their 33rd Currie Cup encounter. The first clash was on 11 October 1996 in the Free State Stadium.
The Cheetahs played nine of their previous 15 Currie Cup Finals in front of their home crowd, celebrating five of the six Currie Cup triumphs in Bloemfontein.
It's the third time in a row that the Cheetahs have the privilege of playing in the Currie Cup Final in Bloemfontein.
The last was at home on 7 September 2019 against the Lions. Tian Meyer's side won 31-28.
Team:
Cheetahs: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 David Brits, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Friedle Olivier, 7 Sibabalo Qoma, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Nqobisizwe Moxoli
Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Jeandre Rudolph, 20 George Cronje, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Siyabonga Masuku 23 Robert Ebersohn.
Date: Saturday, June 24
Venue: Bloemfontein Stadium
Kick-off: 16:00 (14:00 GMT)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant Referees: AM Jacobs, Stephan Geldenhuys
TMO: Egon Seconds