The Toyota Cheetahs were dealt a massive blow ahead of their EPCR Challenge Cup match against Scarlets when their two most experienced players were declared unavailable for Friday night’s outing.
Springbok veterans Frans Steyn and Ruan Pienaar are both nursing injuries and were forced to withdraw from the touring squad, with their places being taken by Rewan Kruger and Andell Loubscher respectively.
Given the Cheetahs lost to the Scarlets badly in their first round clash, they will be eagerly looking for a better performance to keep themselves in the hunt for a place in the playoff rounds but given the impact the duo have on the side, it seems unlikely.
?? TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT ??
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) January 12, 2023
??: @scarlets_rugby vs Toyota Cheetahs
??: Friday, 13 January 2023
??: 22H00 (SA Time)
???: Parc y Scarlets (Wales)
??: Live on SuperSport Rugby 211#EPCRChallengeCup @ToyotaSA pic.twitter.com/uWYoTaIi7J
Tapiwa Mafura and Branden de Kock will provide cover for fullback and scrumhalf from the bench.
Coach Hawies Fourie is expecting another tough encounter against the Welsh side.
"The Scarlets are very well organised on the attack, keeping the ball through numerous phases, so we must be sharp on defence," Fourie said.
"We expect them to be dangerous on their home ground."
Here's the Cheetlist! ?? Should the @ToyotaSA Cheetahs gun for 3 tries in the first 20 minutes this time around?
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) January 12, 2023
Tell us how many tries you think the Cheetahs will score in the comments and WIN a @ToyotaSA Cheetahs replica jersey ??#LegendaryToughnessOnTour #CheetahsForever pic.twitter.com/6ENtPNovwV
The Cheetahs currently lie in fifth place in Pool B, having played two games with one win and one loss.
History will be made on Friday, with an all-women's team taking charge of the match.
Hollie Davidson of Scotland will referee the encounter, and she will be assisted by Sara Cox (England) and Clara Munarini (Italy), with Claire Hodnett (England) in the TMO chair.
History in the making ????
— Stella Mills ?? (@stellamills__) January 6, 2023
Hollie Davidson will lead the first ever all-female officiating team in a men’s European rugby match next week ??
Brilliant ???? pic.twitter.com/8ZLVzwZtVq
TOYOTA CHEETAHS: Andell Loubser, Daniel Kasende, David Brits, Reinhardt Fortuin, Munier Hartzenberg; Siya Masuku, Rewan Kruger; Friedle Olivier, Sibabalo Qoma, Jeandre Rudolph, Victor Sekekete (captain), Rynier Bernardo, Aranos Coetzee, Louis van der Westhuizen, Schalk Ferreira.
REPLACEMENTS: Marko Janse van Rensburg, Alulutho Tshakweni, Hencus van Wyk, Mzwanele Zito, Daniel Maartens, Branden de Kock, Robert Ebersohn, Tapiwa Mafura.