Table-topping Cheetahs change it up for Province visit

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie made a number of changes to his team for their Currie Cup Round Six encounter with Western Province in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.

The only backline changes are rotational - with Evardi Boshoff starting at outside centre in place of veteran Robert Ebersohn.

Fourie said he has given his three his 'quality' No.13s all a run - with David Brits having gotten the first crack, followed by Ebersohn and now Boshoff.

There are four changes among the forwards.

Ockie Barnard, a 20-year-old who made his debut against the Lions last time out, starts at lock in place of the injured Aidon Davis.

Aranos Coetzee, who was injured while playing for Namibia in the Africa Nations Cup, returns to take over at tighthead from Marné Coetzee - who drops down to the replacement bench.

Marnus van der Merwe starts at hooker in place of Wilmar Arnoldi and veteran Schalk Ferreira is the loosehead prop ahead of Cameron Dawson in an all-new front row.

The Cheetahs top the standings with four wins from four starts and are keen to cement their spot at the top of a congested table.

The Cheetahs and Sharks, both unbeaten, are on 18 points - with the Cheetahs edging it on points differential.

Cheetahs: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Malcolm Jaer, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Jeandré Rudolph, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Ockie Barnard, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements: 16 Dandrè Delport, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Marné Coetzee, 19 Sergio Moreira, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 Rosko Specman.

Date: Wednesday, March 16

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 17.45 (15.45 GMT)

Referee: Morne Ferreira

Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni and Jaco Kotze

TMO: Quinton Immelman