Frans Steyn moves to flyhalf for Pumas clash
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Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie has announced his team to face the Pumas with various changes from the side that lost to the Lions.
The Cheetahs will be travelling to Nelspruit to take on the Phakisa Pumas in their third In Currie Cup game on Friday, 18 December.
The big change is in the backline with Springbok utility back Francois Steyn starting at flyhalf with Tian Schoeman, who has been linked with a move to Premiership club Bath, dropping out of the 23 entirely.
Frans Steyn from 64 metre out?
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) December 14, 2020
No problem. pic.twitter.com/cqLuW5pZcQ
USA Eagles international Ruben de Haas comes into the starting line up with Tian Meyer providing cover on the bench.
Former Western Province and Maties winger Duncan Saal is set to make his Currie Cup debut for the Cheetahs with William Small-Smith on the opposite wing.
Having made his return from injury via the bench last week Dries Swanepoel is elevated into the starting #13 jersey with Howard Mnisi shifting from outside centre to inside.
Rhyno Smith and Chris Massyn are new to the bench.
Pumas vs Cheetahs
Friday, 18 December
- Clayton Blommetjies
- Duncan Saal
- Dries Swanepoel
- Howard Mnisi
- William Small-Smith
- Frans Steyn
- Ruben de Haas
- Jeandré Rudolph
- Aidon Davis
- Andisa Ntsila
- Reniel Hugo
- Carl Wegner(C)
- Khutha Mchunu
- Marnus van der Merwe
- Boan Venter
- Louis van der Westhuizen
- Cameron Dawson
- Erich de Jager
- Oupa Mohoje
- Chris Massyn
- Tian Meyer
- Reinhardt Fortuin
- Rhyno Smith
Rasta Rasivhenge will be the referee for the match. He will be assisted by Aimee Barrett-Theron and Morne Ferreira. The TMO is Pro Legoete.
Players not available: The following players are not eligible for team selection due to injury: Wilmar Arnoldi (cheek bone), Aranos Coetzee (ankle), Ruan Pienaar (knee), Craig Barry (knee), Charles Marais (neck), Junior Pokomela (wrist), Hencus van Wyk (hamstring) and Rosko Specman (hamstring).
Next match: Toyota Cheetahs vs Cell C Sharks, Sunday, 27 December at 16:30 in Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein.