Cheetahs bring in Stapelberg for Zebre clash
Stapelberg comes into the starting side to replace Robbie Petzer in the No.10 jersey for the clash against Zebre in Bloemfontein.
Other changes in the backline sees Sergeal Peterson move to fullback, replacing Clayton Blommetjies with Luther Obi coming on the right wing.
In the pack, props Retshegofaditswe Nche and Tom Botha move to the starting line-up with Charles Marais and Johan Coetzee providing cover on the bench.
Hookers Torsten van Jaarsveld and Jacques du Toit will be switching places, with Van Jaarsveld getting the No.2 jersey this week. Justin Basson will be replacing Rynier Bernardo in the second row and Junior Pokomela will be replacing the injured Niell Jordaan in the back row.
Nico Lee and Chris Dry are new to the bench. Lee will be making his return after a long-term injury he sustained in Super Rugby against the Crusaders in April.
Obi and Pokomela will be making their Pro14 debut in the starting line-up as well. Dry and Lee will be making their debuts when they run onto the field.
"We have a brand of rugby that we want to play and probably haven't seen much of in the first two games. We want to improve on that in terms of maintaining continuity by challenging teams," said Cheetahs offense coach Dave Williams.
Cheetahs: 15 Sergeal Petersen, 14 Luther Obi, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Ernst Stapelberg, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Junior Pokomela, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Johan Coetzee, 19 Rynier Bernardo, 20 Chris Dry, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Nico Lee, 23 Cecil Afrika.
Date: Saturday, September 16
Venue: Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 19.30 (19.30 Italy time; 17.30 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Seán Gallagher (Ireland), Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
