Cheetahs change three for Kings

 Oct 24,2012

Written by: SARugby.com Editor

Free State Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has made three changes to his starting XV for Friday's second promotion/relegation match against the Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth.

The Cheetahs have all but secured their place in next year's Currie Cup competition after beating the Kings 53-14 in the first encounter in Bloemfontein last weekend.

Although the Kings have only a slim chance to advance to the Currie Cup Premier Division, Drotske selected his strongest available team to ensure that the hosts fail in their goal.

The visitors will have to make do without flanker Lappies Labuschagne and centre Andries Strauss, who have been left out of the team because of injuries.

The two will be replaced by Davon Raubenheimer and Philip Snyman respectively.

In the only unforced change, winger Nico Scheepers was dropped to the bench with Rayno Benjamin promoted to the run-on side.

"We are without Lappies and Andries due to injury and we were worried that Sias Ebersohn also wouldn't be eligible, but he was cleared of a possible concussion and will play," Drotske said.

The Kings have to beat the Cheetahs by 40 or more points, while also securing a bonus point for four or more tries in the process.

They also have to prevent the visitors from scoring any bonus points if they are to advance to the Premier Division.

After a comprehensive win last week in the City of Roses, Drotske was adamant the Cheetahs would deal the final blow in Port Elizabeth.

"We wanted to make a big statement after a pretty dismal season and we did that in Bloemfontein," he said.

"We've practised hard this week and will be going to Port Elizabeth with the mindset of scoring tries.

"We again want to beat the Kings comprehensively."

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Rayno Benjamin, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Philip Snyman, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Francois Uys, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Marcel van der Merwe. Replacements: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Schalk van der Merwe, 18 Carl Wegner, 19 Hendrik Venter, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Barry Geel, 22 Nico Scheepers.

Date: Friday, October 26

Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 19.10 (17.10 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant referees: Quintin Immelman, Cobus Wessels
Television match official: Johann Meuwesen
Assessor: Willie Roos

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