Cheetahs change for Super Rugby finale
The Cheetahs travel to Port Elizabeth on Friday, to take on the Southern Kings – a clash between the two teams who have been axed from Super Rugby.
They are both expected to start playing in an expanded Pro12 (to be called Pro14) tournament – if not in September, then in the 2018/19 season.
William Small-Smith comes in on the right wing for the injured Sergeal Petersen – who aggravated a hamstring niggle in the loss to the Stormers in July 1.
The only other backline change sees Fred Zeilinga starting at flyhalf, with Niel Marais dropping down to the bench.
There was talk that Springbok Sevens star Cecil Afrika would have started at fullback, but he damaged his ankle in training this week.
Carl Wegner returns from injury, having fractured his eye socket in training before the Stormers game.
He replaced Armandt Koster at lock, who drops down to the bench.
Springbok Teboho Mohoje also returns from injury (concussion) – resulting in fellow Bok Uzair Cassiem moving from No.7 to No.6.
Henco Venter received a red card against the Stormers and was suspended.
Junior Pokomela comes onto the bench to provide loose forward cover.
Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 William Small-Smith, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Uzair Cassiem, 5 Daniel Hugo, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Johannes Coetzee, 2 Elandré Huggett, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Tom Botha, 19 Armandt Koster, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Chris Dry, 22 Ruan van Rensburg, 23 Niel Marais.
Date: Friday, July 14
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Shuhei Kubo
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs, Cwengile Jadezweni
TMO: Shaun Veldsman
