Pietersen at fullback for Cheetahs
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Cheetahs general Joe Pietersen has been moved to fullback in a forced change to their injury-depleted starting line-up to face the Lions on Saturday at Ellis Park.
Coenie van Wyk lasted just one round of Super Rugby this season before he fell victim to an ankle ligament injury – sidelining him for four weeks.
Pietersen's cover for him at fullback will see Willie du Plessis move into the starting XV at flyhalf.
With Heinrich Brussow's injury, Tienie Burger will claim a start on the flank, while young Carel Greef moves to the replacements.
BG Uys is suffering from a back injury, which may see him sidelined for up to four weeks. This sees Danie Mienie coming in at loosehead prop and Caylib Oosthuizen slotting onto the bench.
Clayton Blommetjies will provide cover at wing or fullback from the bench.
This game will mark the 12th Super Rugby encounter between the two teams since the first on May 13, 2006 in Kimberley.
Out of the five previous matches in Johannesburg, the Lions have won three and the Cheetahs two.
The last game between these two teams was on the April 5, 2014 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein and ended in a draw of 43-43.
Overall, the teams have met 11 times with the Lions claiming six victories and the Cheetahs winning five of them.
Cheetahs: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Ryno Benjamin, 10 Willie du Plessis, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Johannes Prinsloo, 6 Tienie Burger, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Mienie.
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Caylib Oosthuizen, 18 Nicolaas van Dyk, 19 Steven Sykes, 20 Carel Greeff, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Michael van der Spuy, 23 Clayton Blommetjies.
Date: Saturday, April 25
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Jaco van Heerden
Assistant Referees: Marius van der Westhuizen, Ben Crouse
TMO: Johan Greeff
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