Strong Toyota Cheetahs side named to take on the rock solid Highlanders
Springbok flank, Heinrich Brüssow in action against the MTN Lions. Photo by Denese Lups /Rugby15 /www.phototalk.co.za
Morgan Piek – Saturday evening sees the Toyota Cheetahs face-off against the inform Highlanders from Dunedin, New Zealand. The men from Bloemfontein are set for another bruising encounter this week. The Highlanders have beaten some of the best teams in this year’s competition, including the Crusaders.
The Highlanders have proven this year that they are one of the best sides at the breakdown and are very dangerous at the line-break as well. Defence will be paramount for the Cheetahs on Saturday. They have the ability to defend and have done so very well this season, although they are a little suspect when the counter-attack is on.
Tewis de Bruyn got the nod ahead of Piet van Zyl purely for defensive reasons. Piet van Zyl is great on the attack; Tewis is more experienced and more solid in defence. Nevertheless both are very good players, with each bringing their own to the party.
The Toyota Cheetahs captain Adriaan Strauss will be back this weekend after suffering from bronchitis, which saw him miss the clash against the Chiefs. Adriaan will be facing off against two of the toughest and badest hookers in world rugby. Andrew Hore is arguably the hardest hooker to have walked this planet, while Jason Rutledge not far behind him.
Hore plays a tighter game than Strauss, so their head-to-head will be less of a contest. As opposed to Hore, Rutledge plays a more open game very similar to that of Strauss. This head-to-head could be very interesting should it take place. One has to make mention that Strauss is currently in the form of his life and could possibly be donning the hallow Green-and-Gold again this year.
Ryno Benjamin is replaced on the wing by Cameron Jacobs. Benjamin picked up a nasty shoulder injury against the Chiefs and is more than likely to miss the rest of the season. There is no word on whether or not Benjamin would be operated on, although he was at training this morning, but did not part take.
The Highlanders have been bolstered with the return of Mike Delaney at flyhalf. Delaney recently returned from Japan as cover for the Highlanders flyhalf woes. Last week against the Blues Delaney proved to be invaluable and was the difference in the Highlanders beating the Blues. Delaney is not afraid carrying the ball up and contact. Johan Goosen will have his work cut-off for him, but Goosen is pure class and has a very cool head on his young shoulders.
The inform Highlanders and exciting Cheetahs will be sure to provide loads of entertainment come Saturday 17:05.
The Toyota Cheetahs team is as follows:
1. Coenie Oosthuizen, 2. Adriaan Strauss (Captain), 3. WP Nel, 4. Andries Ferreira, 5. Izak van der Westhuizen, 6. Heinrich Brüssow, 7. Justin Downey, 8. Philip van der Walt, 9. Tewis de Bruyn, 10. Johan Goosen, 11. Willie le Roux, 12. Andries Strauss (Vice-captain), 13. Robert Ebersohn, 14. Cameron Jacobs, 15. Hennie Daniller.
Reserves:
16. Hercu Liebenberg , 17. Trevor Nyakane, 18. George Earle, 19. Ashley Johnson, 20. Piet van Zyl, 21. Sias Ebersohn, 22. Philip Snyman.
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