Wiese injury hampers Cheetahs

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Free State Cheetahs will be without star loose forward Jasper Wiese when they host Griquas in a Currie Cup crunch match on Saturday.

The Cheetahs host the table-topping Griquas ina central-unions derby.

Marnus van der Merwe will be on the bench in place of Wiese, who has not fully recovered - after requiring sutures to a facial wound he suffered in the win over the Blue Bulls last week.

In the only change to the starting XV, Darron Adonis starts at fullback and Louis Fouche will play off the bench.

Players not eligible due to injury include Teboho Mohoje (knee), Aidon Davis (fractured leg), Justin Basson (knee), Ali Mgijima (Achilles), Luan de Bruin (neck), Malcolm Jaer (groin), Daniel Maartens (ankle) and Jasper Wiese.

Ruben de Haas is currently training with the United States national team as part of their build-up to the World Cup.,

Free State Cheetahs: 15 Darron Adonis, 14 William Small-Smith, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 Dries Swanepoel, 11 Sibahle Maxwane, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Tian Meyer (captain), 8 Henco Venter, 7 Abongile Nonkontwana, 6 Junior Pokomela, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.

Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Reinach Venter, 19 Jean-Pierre du Preez, 20 Marnus van der Merwe, 21 Gerhard Olivier, 22 Dian Badenhorst, 23 Louis Fouche.

Date: Saturday, July 27

Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)

Referee: Jaco Peyper

Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Eon van Zyl

TMO: JJ Wagner