Rhule back in Cheetahs squad
The table-toping Cheetahs will complete their league fixtures when they host neighbours Griquas in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
The Bloemfontein side's 52-10 victory against a hapless Pumas in Nelspruit ensured they finished the regular season in the No.1 position in the standings – getting home-ground advantage in the semifinal and possible Final.
Cheetahs welcome back Raymond Rhule who missed last week's encounter due to a calf strain. Rhule will start at the left wing with the Sevens Springbok Ryno Benjamin moving to the right wing.
In the pack, Henco Venter will be replacing Paul Schoeman in the back row, while in the front row Retshegofaditswe Nche takes his spot in the starting XV replacing Charles Marais, who takes his seat on the bench.
Joining Marais on the bench are Torsen Van Jaarsveld (hooker), Willem Serfontein (lock) and William Small-Smith (utility back).
Free State Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Ryno Benjamin, 13 Francios Venter (captain), 12 Nico Lee, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Henco Venter, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Johan Coetzee, 2 Jacques Du Toit, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Torsten Van Jaarsveld, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Willem Serfontein, 19 Tienie Burger, 20 Zee Mkhabela, 21 Fred Zeilinga, 22 William Small-Smith.
Date: Saturday, October 1
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Jaco Kotze
TMO: JJ Wagner
