Midfield blow for Cheetahs

Coming off a series of heavy losses - including defeats to the Chiefs (27-41) and Crusaders (21-48) in Bloemfontein - the Cheetahs host the high-flying Highlanders on Friday.

Cheetahs coach Franco Smith confirmed to rugby365 that powerful centre Nico Lee will be sidelined for four to six weeks with an ankle injury.

This means that not only will he miss the encounter with a Highlanders team that put 57 points past the Stormers the past weekend, Lee will also miss the three-match road trip later this month - which includes matches against the Blues and Hurricanes in New Zealand.

Lee will only be available again when the Cheetahs return from the June international break.

The good news is that flyhalf Fred Zeilinga has recovered from his injury and will most likely be available this week.

"There are no other major injuries [from the loss to the Crusaders]," Smith told rugby365.

William Small-Smith is likely to come into the midfield to partner captain Francois Venter - who appeared in his 50th Super Rugby match in the loss to the Crusaders last Saturday. 

By Jan de Koning

@rugby365com