Fourie ‘excited’ as injured Cheetahs return for Bulls clash

Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie said he was delighted on Tuesday to be able to welcome back a few key players for their Currie Cup clash with the Bulls in Pretoria.

Fourie announced a few changes to the Free State side for the match, to be played at 5.45pm at Loftus Versfeld on Wednesday.

Rosko Specman and Siya Masuku were set to return from injury, replacing Craig Barry on the wing and Chris Smit on flyhalf.

Andisa Ntsila was handed a starting berth at No 7, with Aidon Davis moving to lock, as a replacement for the injured Rynier Bernardo. Jeandre Rudolph would provide cover on the bench.

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Chucky van der Westhuizen was set to wear the No 2 jersey, with Janus Venter on the reserve’s bench, along with Reinhardt Fortuin.

“We have a really good backline and we’ve worked hard on the set-piece during the last two weeks,” Fourie said.

“We have really good options to play from on Wednesday and I’m confident that we’ll get our share of run in line-outs and scrum ball.

“If we can manage that, we can test the Bulls’ defence with our backs, so it will be a team effort.

“I’m excited to see what we can do, and it is a blessing to have three players back from injury.”

Cheetahs team

Clayton Blommetjies, Rosko Specman, David Brits, Frans Steyn, Enver Brandt, Siya Masuku, Ruan Pienaar (capt), Mihlali Mosi, Andisa Ntsila, Gideon van der Merwe, Victor Sekekete, Aidon Davis, Marne Coetzee, Louis van der Westhuizen, Schalk Ferreira

Bench: Janus Venter, Alulutho Tshakweni, Conraad van Vuuren, Sergio Moreira, Jeandre Rudolph, Rewan Kruger, Reinhardt Fortuin, Robert Ebersohn