Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské has made a few shock selections for Friday’s Super14 opener against the Bulls. Drotske’s 22-man squad includes seven Super14 rookies and the new blood may just be what the Cheetahs need to start the competition on a winning note.
Riaan Viljoen (fullback), Lionel Mapoe (right wing) and Ashley Johnson (No 8 ) will make their debut in the starting team, while Ryno Barnes (hooker), Coenie Oosthuizen (prop), Walti Vermeulen (lock) and Sias Ebersohn (flyhalf) will get the chance to play off the substitutes bench for the first time.
Supporters will also be delighted that flyhalf Naas Olivier passed a fitness test and will be able to start.
“He showed in the Currie Cup that he is the top flyhalf in the region and is important for us as far as penalties are concerned,” said Drotské.
Viljoen was picked ahead of Hennie Daniller at fullback and will bring calm in the face of the Bulls’ aerial attack.
The Springbok’s boot can also be useful for possible long-range drop goals and penalties.
Tewis de Bruyn’s experience and kicking ability got him the nod at scrumhalf ahead of Sarel Pretorius.
Johnson won the race for the No 8 jersey over Frans Viljoen because of the Bulls’ kicking tactics.
“Ashley is a little better under the high ball than Frans. Frans is very physical and his impact in the second half will play a big role,” said Drotské.
Vermeulen and Ebersohn’s inclusion came as shocks. It is Vermeulen’s lineout prowess that got him the nod ahead of locks such as Izak van der Westhuizen and Rudi Mathee.
“We are playing against Victor Matfield and may need two lineout locks on the field,” said Drotské.
Many people view this as Ebersohn’s year and he impressed enough to be handed the job as Olivier’s deputy ahead of Louis Strydom.
The additional flyhalf is a precautionary measure as Olivier has only just been declared fit after struggling with a knee injury.
“Sias did well in the pre-season, but Naas has not played much and will probably not be able to play for 80 minutes,” said Drotské.
The Cheetahs team:
Riaan Viljoen, Lionel Mapoe, Corné Uys, Meyer Bosman, Jongi Nokwe, Naas Olivier, Tewis de Bruyn, Ashley Johnson, Juan Smith (k), Heinrich Brüssow, David de Villiers, Nico Breedt, WP Nel, Adriaan Strauss, Wian du Preez. Substitutes: Ryno Barnes, Coenie Oosthuizen, Walti Vermeulen, Frans Viljoen, Sarel Pretorius, Sias Ebersohn, Danwel Demas.
Not a bad team. Lets hope that they can the job against the Bulls.
VRYSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!
So being unknown is their new ‘secret weapon’ ?
Maidin mhaith to all. Don’t know many of these chaps, so will have to believe what is said. 😆
3 – Morning Irish, Some good players there. Still think Bulls will be just too much for Cheetahs.
Hello boys 😀
Hello RP, You ready for the rugga this weekend?
Did everyone read about the sex scandal on the English Soccer team ? & althoguh in England “Sex Scandal” could mean just about anything, in this particular case it was a team mates girlfriend.
Soccer has John Terry, Golf has Tiger Woods – How come we don’t have anything like that in rugby ?
Hey Puma 😀
Am I ever ! 😯 I have beeen suffering withdrawal symptoms !!
Damn, this is a freegin strong Cheetahs side…. let’s look at them critically:
Front row: All 3 are Springbok quality, probably the strongest front row in SA and possibly the strongest front row in the Super 14….. yip, believe me!
Locks: Dawid de Villiers and Nico Breedt are hard working locks, with lots of grunt, probably the 2 locks in SA who come the closest to the Bakkies Botha type of mould. Victor Matfield should however still rule over them in the line-outs.
Loosies: What a loosie combo… Brussow (awesome), Juan Smith (awesome), Ashley Johnson (very bloody capable)… up against an equally good loosie combo in Stegmann, Pedrie, Spies
Scrummie: Naka missed the plot here, Tewis de Bruin is sub-standard compared to Sarel Pretorius…. Fourie du Preez will have no problem mastering this fool.
Fly Half: Naas Olivier is an average fly half… kicks well to posts but is weak on defence and in general play… he comes up against Morne, the General.
Centres: Solid pair but with certain frailties and vulnerabilities…. Meisiekind will enjoy this battle but damn the Bulls outside centre is not the best in the business either… will be an interesting tussle.
Wings: Cheetahs wings have oodles and oodles of pace… Nokwe is light on defence, Mapoe is a future Bok. They’re up against Franscois Hougaard, the terrier and Shaddow van den Heever. Shaddow is also a bit light on defence.
Fullback: Viljoen can certainly punt a ball miles and should fit into Cheetahs running rugby like a hand in glove. In addition he’s a danger with long range droppies and long range penalties… very steady No 15. Up against Kirchner who is solid without being spectacular.
Cheetahs will be a tough nut to crack and game plan and taking of opportunities will sort this thing out. Do not write off the Cheetahs, beware of them… they give their absolute best against the Bulls each year, this is their final… to beat the Bulls is their solitary goal in life, strange but true.
8 – RP, Only 3days. Think your Saders will do well this year. With Carter and McCaw back, though McCaw will be rested for the first few games.
9 – GBS, Cheetahs on their day could beat any team. They normally do that against my Sharks 😉
Still think Bulls will beat them though.
Ek dink die Cheetahs spaar hul ander spelers vir die games waarin hulle hulself ‘n kans gee.. 😆
I think Naas Olivier is about just as good as Morne Steyn. Maybe a little weaker on defense, but he gives a little bit more attack than Steyn also. Would be great to see young Ebersohn have a go.
@12 – Except for Tewis de Bruyn at scrumhalf and Robert Ebersohn who is injured this is the strongest possible side the Cheetahs can choose.
# 14
Pretorius should have been on scrumhalve.
Don’t however share your sentiments with regards to Steyn and Olivier.
Steyn better by a country mile…
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