Hold onto your hats, rugby fans! The Cheetahs are shaking things up after a heart-stopping one-point loss in their Challenge series opener. This Sunday, it’s all change as they take on Georgia’s Black Lion in Bloemfontein, with Franco Smith stepping in as the new orchestrator at flyhalf. Yes, you heard it right—Clayton Blommetjies will be riding pine while Smith tries to steer the ship back on course.
Coach Steyn is clearly in no mood to let another game slip through their fingers, prompting a lineup shuffle that’s more dramatic than a soap opera cliffhanger. Zander du Plessis, fresh from his debut, is sliding into the inside centre spot, hopefully adding some fresh zest to the midfield. With him, the backline gets a new look as Ntokozo Makhaza sprints onto the left wing, pushing Michael Annies to fullback and sending Cohen Jasper to spectate from the sidelines.
The forwards aren't safe from the shake-up either. Juan Venter will partner up with Victor Sekekete in the second row, and in a bold move, Sisonke Vumazonke ramps up to No 8, sending Neels Volschenk to the bench. Speaking of the bench, keep your eyes peeled for Junior Boks prop Tebogo Nkosi, who might just snag his first cap if he gets the nod.
"It’s all about bringing in fresh energy and perspectives. Each player knows what’s expected of them, and it’s time to turn those expectations into results."
And let’s not forget, the action kicks off at 3pm, following a legendary curtain-raiser at 12:30pm between the Cheetahs and Bulls legends. If that doesn’t get your rugby heart racing, check your pulse!
For those keeping score at home, here’s how the teams stack up:
CHEETAHS – 15 Michael Annies, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Marco Janse van Vuren, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Ntokozo Mkahaza, 10 Franco Smith, 9 Jandré Nel, 8 Sisonke Vumazonke, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Juan Venter, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen (c), 1 Tielman Niewoudt.
Bench: 16 Marko Jansen van Rensburg, 17 Tebogo Nkosi, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Arno van der Merwe, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Clayton Blommetjies, 23 James Verity-Amm.
So, buckle up, grab your jerseys, and let’s see if the Cheetahs’ new-look brigade can claw back some dignity this weekend!
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Hold onto your hats, rugby fans! The Cheetahs are shaking things up after a heart-stopping one-point loss in their Challenge series opener. This Sunday, it’s all change as they take on Georgia’s Black Lion in Bloemfontein, with Franco Smith stepping in as the new orchestrator at flyhalf. Yes, you heard it right—Clayton Blommetjies will be riding pine while Smith tries to steer the ship back on course.
Coach Steyn is clearly in no mood to let another game slip through their fingers, prompting a lineup shuffle that’s more dramatic than a soap opera cliffhanger. Zander du Plessis, fresh from his debut, is sliding into the inside centre spot, hopefully adding some fresh zest to the midfield. With him, the backline gets a new look as Ntokozo Makhaza sprints onto the left wing, pushing Michael Annies to fullback and sending Cohen Jasper to spectate from the sidelines.
The forwards aren't safe from the shake-up either. Juan Venter will partner up with Victor Sekekete in the second row, and in a bold move, Sisonke Vumazonke ramps up to No 8, sending Neels Volschenk to the bench. Speaking of the bench, keep your eyes peeled for Junior Boks prop Tebogo Nkosi, who might just snag his first cap if he gets the nod.
"It’s all about bringing in fresh energy and perspectives. Each player knows what’s expected of them, and it’s time to turn those expectations into results."
And let’s not forget, the action kicks off at 3pm, following a legendary curtain-raiser at 12:30pm between the Cheetahs and Bulls legends. If that doesn’t get your rugby heart racing, check your pulse!
For those keeping score at home, here’s how the teams stack up:
CHEETAHS – 15 Michael Annies, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Marco Janse van Vuren, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Ntokozo Mkahaza, 10 Franco Smith, 9 Jandré Nel, 8 Sisonke Vumazonke, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Juan Venter, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen (c), 1 Tielman Niewoudt.
Bench: 16 Marko Jansen van Rensburg, 17 Tebogo Nkosi, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Arno van der Merwe, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Clayton Blommetjies, 23 James Verity-Amm.
So, buckle up, grab your jerseys, and let’s see if the Cheetahs’ new-look brigade can claw back some dignity this weekend!