Injuries force key changes to Cheetahs

Injuries to key players have forced Toyota Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn to change his side for Saturday’s EPCR Challenge Cup Round 2 game against French side Stade Francais.

Flyhalf Jaco van der Walt has a hamstring injury while Zander du Plessis has a groin strain and both have returned to South Africa to ensure they are fit for fixtures in January in the Challenge Cup.

Victor Sekekete has also returned to South Africa with a facial fracture and a concussion and will be replaced by Juan Venter.

This means hooker Louis van der Westhuizen will captain the side with Daniel Maartens moving to six and Pierre Uys coming in at 7.

George Lourens replaces Van der Walt at flyhalf while De-An Ackermann moves to 12 for Du Plessis.

After their loss to Exeter Chiefs in the opening round, coach Steyn believes they are ready for the French challenge in Amsterdam.

"Stade Franҫais will definitely be an imposing force this weekend, but I'm confident in our team. We adapted well to the game's pace in the second half against Exeter. We know what is expected of us, what the pace is going to be, and hopefully we can put up a good performance this weekend,” Steyn said.

Toyota Cheetahs: Michael Annies; Cohen Jasper, Munier Hartzenberg, De-An Ackermann, Prince Nkabinde; George Lourens, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Gideo van der Merwe, Pierre Uys, Daniel Maartens, Juan Venter, Carl Wegner, Aranos Coetzee, Louis van der Westhuizen (captain), Cameron Dawson.

Replacements: Vernon Paulo, Matome Manyama, Frankie Dos Reis, Curtley Thomas, Sisonke Vumazonke, Neels Volschenk, Jandre Nel, Clayton Blommetjies.