RECAP: Cheetahs v Sharks

READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our live coverage of the South African Preparation match between the Cheetahs and Sharks in Bloemfontein.

Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie said the result is important for his team – who will have regular captain Ruan Pienaar back in the starting XV.

“He [Pienaar] controls the game well,” he said of the veteran Springbok utility back.

“Having Ruan back is good for the team. His leadership is outstanding and his game management will be important for us.”

* To read our pre-match predictions, CLICK HERE!

* Our live blog will appear below, it might take a little while to load, please be patient. We apologise for the inconvenience!

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Teams

Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Malcolm Jaer, 13 Chris Smit, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Ruan Pienaar (captain), 8 Aidon Davis, 7 George Cronje, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Rynier Bernardo, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Wilmar Arnoldi, 1 Cameron Dawson.

Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Conraad van Vuuren, 18 Aranos Coetzee, 19 Jean Droste, 20 Teboho Mohoje, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Duncan Saal.

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Thaakir Abrahams, 13 Jeremy Ward (captain), 12 Murray Koster, 11 Anthony Volmink, 10 Jordan Chait, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Phepsi Buthelezi, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 James Venter, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 John-Hubert Meyer, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Khwezi Mona.

Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Mpilo Gumede, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Werner Kok.

Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen

Assistant Referees: Griffin Colby & Jaco Kotze

TMO: Cwengile Jadezweni