Rugby
Volschenk named Cheetahs captain, Smith on debut─── MORGAN PIEK 15:24 Fri, 04 Oct 2024
“It’s not like we have R100 million rand to throw around, but I think we’ve done well with our players and I’m excited to see these young guys play.”
The Toyota Cheetahs have rung the changes for Sunday’s Toyota Challenge game against the Griffons in Bloemfontein.
The Cheetahs have been an entirely different team from the one that lost 38-24 to the Western Force on Wednesday night.
The exciting loose forward, Neels Volschenk, has returned from injury and will captain the team.
In addition, Franco Smith Jr will start inside centre and is on debut at the Cheetahs. The hooker, Marko Janse van Rensburg, lock Pieter Jansen van Vuren, and winger Prince Nkabinde all return from injury and will start.
The American international scrumhalf, Ruben de Haas, is back from international duty and will play for the Cheetahs for the first time since the SA Cup.
On the bench, the loosehead prop Dux Manyama who signed from the NWU Eagles, and versatile Shaun Ray, who played for the UFS Young Guns will be on debut as well. During the Varsity Cup and now, Ray, who hails from Paarl Gymnasium picked up 13kgs as he bulked up. The versatile Andell Loubser in turn gets a rare opportunity after also having returned from injury and having played off the bench on Wednesday night.
Ruben de Haas. Photo: Morgan Piek
The Cheetahs Director of Rugby Frans Steyn told OFM Sport that he is excited to see the youngsters in action against the Griffons.
“If you have a look at the team, we have a couple of exciting loosies that will be playing,” said Steyn.
“Sisonke Vumazonke had a massive impact when he came on against the Force. It’s an opportunity for him, and like I said, Ruben de Haas is back and you can already see his worth at training as well.
“Hopefully this team makes us proud against the Griffons. It’s going to be tough, but we back them.
Sisonke Vumazonke. Photo: Morgan Piek
“It’s not like we have R100 million rand to throw around, but I think we’ve done well with our players and I’m excited to see these young guys play.”
Sunday’s game at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 15:45. At 13:00, the Western Force will face Emerging Ireland.
Cheetahs – 15 Andell Loubser, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Franco Smith, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 George Lourens, 9 Ruben de Haas, 8 Neels Volschenk (captain), 7 Sisonke Vumazonke, 6 Ulrich Stander, 5 Mzwanele Zito, 4 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Hencus van Wyk
Replacements – 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Dux Manyama, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Pierre Uys, 20 Friedle Olivier, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Litha Nkula, 23 Shaun Ray
Griffons – 15 Keanu Vers, 14 Quan Eymann, 13 Chris Hollis, 13 Jandré de Beer, 11 Christiaan Nel, 10 Duan Pretorius, 9 Cheslin Arendse, 8 Mingo Piti, 7 Thomas Ongera, 6 Thato Mavundla, 5 Rian Olivier, 4 Lungi Mbiko, 3 Mthokozisi Gumede, 2 Willem van den Hever, 1 Xolani Jacobs
Replacements – 16 Chadley Wenn, 17 Simon Westraadt, 18 Moango Ngundue, 19 Wikus Niewenhuis, 20 Curtly Thomas, 21 Jared Kruger, 22 Raven Smith, 23 Gilroy Philander
