Toyota Cheetahs named to take on the Stormers
Juan Smith will make his return to the playing field after a two-year injury lay-off. Photo by Morgan Piek /Rugby15.
Toyota Cheetahs focus on Vodacom Super Rugby
The Toyota Cheetahs’ preparations for the upcoming Super Rugby competition are well on track and the coaches are pleased with the processes and progress of players.
Supporters should keep in mind that the matches currently taking place and the one played last weekend against the Lions are practice matches where player combinations, game plans and individual players’ abilities are tested.
27 players will have the opportunity to play against the Stormers this weekend and to prove themselves worthy of a place in the final squad of 30 and the coaches will also have the opportunity to try out different playing patterns, defensive patterns and other aspects of the game.
The Cheetahs Company realizes that the fans want to see great victories by Toyota Cheetahs but the preparation games are really as preparation for the big competition, the Vodacom Super Rugby.
Many injured players are returning to the practice field this week, and after a long recovery and preparation sessions, it is encouraging to see their fitness levels. No unnecessary risks will be taken with injured players or players who just returned from injury.
The fitness experts are excited about the fitness levels of the team. Various tests such as strength tests, fitness tests, and endurance tests have been done and there is a great improvement in terms of players’ fitness levels compared to previous years.
The top injured players who are now about to return are Juan Smith, Frans Viljoen, Lappies Labuschagne, Philip van der Walt, Riaan Smit, Rayno Benjamin, Johan Sadie, Boom Prinsloo while Heinrich Brussow, Coenie Oosthuizen, Johan Goosen and Andrew Ferreira are still in recovery phases. Johan Goosen will probably be the first player to be ready to play, followed by Coenie Oosthuizen and Heinrich Brussow. Andries Ferreira will probably only be ready to play later, after the tour of the Toyota Cheetahs in March.
The Reconciliation match against the Stormers is a big challenge for Toyota Cheetahs and the players would like to earn points to get them included in the final group of 30.
Currently, there are still about 40 players in the squad that will be brought down to 30 as prescribed by SANZAR. It should also be kept in mind that the Toyota Cheetahs do not have the luxury of almost 50 players in a group contracted by one union. The Toyota Cheetahs must make use of the depth at the Griquas and Griffons and therefore the teams have to unite over this period of November, December and early January. This is one of the unique challenges of the central region team.
Coaches and management are looking forward with great excitement to the season ahead.
Saturdays team is as follows:
15. Hennie Daniller
14. Jannie Boshoff
13. Johann Sadie
12. Rayno Benjamin
11. Rocco Jansen
10. Riaan Smit
9. Sarel Pretorius
8. Phillip van der Walt
7. Davon Raubenheimer
6. Boom Prinsloo
5. Waltie Vermeulen
4. Ligtoring Landman
3. Louwerns Adriaanse
2. Adriaan Strauss (Captain)
1. Trevor Nyakane
Replacements:
16. Ryno Barnes
17. Caylib Oosthuizen
18. Lood de Jager
19. Francois Uys
20. Frans Viljoen
21. Juan Smith
22. Lappies Labuscahgne
23. Piet van Zyl
24. Elgar Watts
25. Barry Geel
26. Willie le Roux
27. Hansie Graaff.
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