Super Rugby match preview: Cheetahs v Bulls
The Cheetahs have made just one change to their starting line-up ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby clash with the Bulls.
Last Updated: 01/06/13 12:52pm
Head coach Naka Drotske has brought Springbok winger Raymond Rhule back into the side after dropping the youngster for last weekend's game against the Southern Kings.
Rayno Benjamin was preferred for the 34-22 victory in Port Elizabeth but drops back to the bench with Rhule impressing as a replacement.
Johann Sadie retains his place at outside centre having scored a brace last time out as the Cheetahs look to consolidate their play-off ambitions.
Meanwhile, Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has made four changes to his squad as they seek a seventh successive victory.
In the front line Arno Botha is given the nod in the flanks while the experienced Werner Kruger comes into the starting line-up at prop.
Jan Sertontein is recalled at inside centre to replace Wynand Olivier who is omitted from Ludeke's match-day 22.
Winger Akona Ndungane has failed to recover from injury which paves the way Lionel Mapoe to make his return on the right-hand side.
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Raymond Rhule, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (capt), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Ligtoring Landman, 19 Boom Prinsloo, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Riaan Smit, 22 Rayno Benjamin.
Bulls: 15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (capt), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Callie Visagie , 17 Frik Kirsten, 18 Grant Hattingh, 19 Dewald Potgieter, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouche, 22 Zane Kirchner.
What they said...
Cheetahs head coach Naka Drotske
"Raymond [Rhule] showed that he can defend well after he came on as a replacement.
"He made one or two crucial tackles and did well when he got the ball in hand. He is the type of player you want in your team against a side like the Bulls, so he gets another shot at it."
Bulls captain Pierre Spies
"They play on their home turf and although we have done well there in the past, that is not worth any points on the scoreboard.
"We need to go out there, impose ourselves and play the right type of rugby we know we are capable of. It is a massive challenge, but this team thrive on those."