Crusaders v Cheetahs: Teams

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has reacted to his side's heavy Super 14 defeat to the Brumbies by making five changes to his team to play the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.

The Free State side were thrashed 61-15 in Canberra over the weekend with injuries and the absence of captain Juan Smith clearly affecting their performance.

Drotske has a host of players sidelined through injury, while South Africa flanker Smith was a late withdrawal due to the death of his father.

Several changes have been made this week, the most notable coming at half-back where Sarel Pretorius and Riaan Viljoen have been drafted in ahead of Tewis de Bruyn and Naas Olivier.

Also in the backs, Barry Geel comes in for Meyer Bosman at centre, while Danwel Demas takes over from Wilmaure Louw on the wing.

Confident

The only change to the forwards comes at number eight where Davon Raubenheimer replaces the suspended Kabamba Floors.

The Cheetahs are currently second-last on the log with two wins from eight games and Drotske said: "We are in a difficult situation with all the injuries.

"We have lost many experienced players. This week I am trying to give the youngsters a chance and I am confident it can turn out well for us."

Richie McCaw will make his return to the number seven jersey for the Crusaders on Saturday.

As a result of a shoulder injury to Kieran Read, Thomas Waldrom takes over at number eight while George Whitelock moves over to blindside.

Meanwhile, Dan Carter has been ruled out due to a adductor muscle injury, so Daniel Bowden starts and Tu Umaga-Marshall comes onto the bench.

Centre Robbie Fruean also misses the match for a family bereavement and his place has gone to Tim Bateman, who has not been wanted since the second round loss to the Reds.

Wing Zac Guildford gets his first chance to freshen on the bench, with Jared Payne taking his place.

Rookie lock Sam Whitelock teams up with veteran Chris Jack in the second row with Brad Thorn on the bench.

Ben Franks replaces younger brother, Owen, at tighthead prop in what Blackadder said was a rotation selection.

Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Jared Payne, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Daniel Bowden, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Chris Jack, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Perrin, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Brad Thorn, 19 Jonathan Poff, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 22 Zac Guildford.

Cheetahs: 15 H Daniller; 14 D Demas, 13 C Uys, 12 B Geel, 11 J Nokwe; 10 R Viljoen, 9 S Pretorius; 1 C Oosthuizen, 2 A Strauss, 3 WP Nel, 4 I van der Westhuizen, 5 W Vermeulen, 6 H Scholtz, 7 B Pieterse, 8 D Raubenheimer.
Replacements: 16 R Barnes, 17 W du Preez, 18 N Breedt, 19 P van der Walt, 20 T de Bruyn, 21 M Bosman, 22 R Ebersohn.