The Cheetahs look set to pick their fourth captain of the season with flyhalf Naas Olivier facing the axe in a tactical ploy designed to engineer their first Super Rugby victory of the year.
Sport24
Springbok flank Heinrich Brüssow is not available, but the omission of skipper Olivier may be a surprise move in the hunt for four log points as the Cheetahs look to embark on a different tactical route.
Drotské said that Brüssow would again be in action for the Vodacom Cup side rather than play his first game of the tournament against the Lions.
Neither the Cheetahs nor the Stormers managed much on attack at Newlands on Saturday, but Sias Ebersohn may get a chance at flyhalf against the Lions.
This will also mean that the Cheetahs have to pick their fourth captain in as many weeks, with centre Andries Strauss a strong candidate to take over the reins.
Flank Frans Viljoen is also set to return to the starting line-up after recovering from a hamstring injury, with Francois Uys or Kabamba Floors set to move to the substitutes bench.
Lock Martin Muller impressed in his debut against the Stormers and is set to be elevated to the starting line-up.
It may sound drastic to axe Olivier, but his tactical play was not on par against the Stormers. While he kicked well at posts at Newlands, Olivier could not really dictate the game.
Olivier is definitely the top flyhalf in the region when he’s on top of his game.
Ebersohn is well-known for his attacking play and the ability to get his backline going. His inconsistent goalkicking is one of the reasons that he has not been picked at No 10 more often.
That is why Riaan Viljoen may be picked at fullback. He slotted a penalty of almost 50 metres to rescue a bonus point for the Cheetahs on Saturday.
Brüssow recently returned from a knee injury and played his first Vodacom Cup game against the Valke about three weeks ago. He was also in action against the Pumas on Saturday.
“Heinrich will first play 80 minutes in the Vodacom Cup. He does not feel that he is fit enough for Super Rugby just yet,” said Drotské.
Lock Waltie Vermeulen, who is a medical student at Free State University, will not be able to tour with the Cheetahs because of study commitments.
Interesting battle coming up between the Lions and Cheetahs….
Axing Naas is a positive, but only if you can replace him with a better player…. the candidates being Sias Ebersohn and Louis Strydom.
Well, one of the 2 teams are likely to break their duck of wins… will it be the Lions?
gee sias die kans flok jy speel nie op 17 sa skole as jy nie iets in jou het nie laat hy swem of sink maar gee hom n kans
Agree Smallies, he needs a few games to settle down, he could hardly play worse than what Naas has been the last two matches. Maybe they should be really brave and start benching Johan Goosen and let him play 20 mins per match!! We have beenplaying without a decent 10 for waaay too long!!!
2@ smallies72:
3@ Cheetah4eva:
I agree, give Sias a go… and pull Goosen closer… almost anything would be better than Naas at the moment.
Come now, tell me what you think this Cheetahs team of yours will do against the equally desperate Lions?
@ gbs,
It’s a tough one to call, Lions have been playing good attacking rugby, but have also shown a worrying trend of leaking tries in equal measure. The Cheetahs defence has been immense, they have just lacked an attacking edge, and have concede some bizarre penalties at scrum time, especially from “Tosser Joubert!!
I think the lions might have the edge, with both Juan, and Brussow out, but then again in Frans Viljoen, and Phillip vd Walt there are able replacements. Cheetahs should boss the scrums and lineouts. Lions loosies have been impressive. Really tough one to call. Cheetahs from the heart, and by virtue of home ground advantage!!
ons gaat hulle nersderms aftrap wat het jy gedink hulle scrum is swak slotte poofters en hulle lostrio is nie hot
5@ Cheetah4eva:
Tough call indeed!
Maybe I should forsake reason and just play “Raai-raai-riepa” on this one…
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