The Toyota Cheetahs have made a few changes to their team for tomorrow’s must-win Currie Cup clash against the Pumas in Nelspruit. The match is effectively is a quarter-final with the winner claiming the last available spot in the semi-finals.
As the Cheetahs are one point ahead of the Pumas on the log, they just need a win to advance, while a draw with also be good enough, however, it is a risk they are not willing to take.
The defending champions have opted to field the Junior Springbok, Michael Annies, at fullback, while Evardi Boshoff is back to run-out at outside centre. Munier Hartzenberg moves to the right-wing.
Upfront, Carl Wegner, has returned from injury and he will start at lock alongside the captain Victor Sekekete. Oupa Mohoje start at flank, with Aidon Davis rotating to the bench, while Friedle Olivier has a calf niggle again.
George Lourens comes onto the bench to provide cover at flyhalf, while he can also be fielded at inside centre.
The Cheetahs centre and former Pumas, Ali Mgijima, told OFM Sport that it’s now or never.
“The one coming up this weekend is definitely one to remember,” said Mgijima who scored a match-winning try against the Cheetahs in the 2022 semi-finals.
“Both teams obviously want it the most. Two years ago, this was the stage to deciding who is going through.
“For us as a team we are really looking forward to this one. More than anything we owe to ourselves – we need to have a big game this weekend. It’s a quarter-final and we need to play ourselves into the semi-finals.”
Tomorrow’s quarter-final at the Mbombela Stadium kicks off at 13:30.
Pumas – 15 Tino Swanepoel, 14 Stefan Coetzee, 13 David Brits, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Darren Adonis, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Ross Braude, 8 Kwanda Dimaza (captain), 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Eduan Swart, 1 Etienne Janeke
Replacements – 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Stephan de Jager, 18 Dewald Maritz, 19 Jeandré Leonard, 20 Marvellous Mashimbyi, 21 André Fouche, 22 Danrich Visagie, 23 Phiko Sobahle
Cheetahs – 15 Michael Annies, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Daniel Kasende, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Corné Fourie, 1 Schalk Ferreira
Replacements – 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Aidon Davis, 20 Sisonke Vumazonke, 21 Marko Jansen van Vuren, 22 George Lourens, 23 Litha Nkula
Morgan Piek
