Faf de Klerk will make his Cheetahs debut against the Lions in their Currie Cup opener in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
The two-time World Cup-winning scrumhalf partners veteran flyhalf Jaco van der Walt in an experienced halfback combination, while captain Neels Volschenk leads a settled forward pack that includes Victor Sekekete, Carl Wegner and Ramon Uys.
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Coach Frans Steyn believes the Cheetahs are well placed heading into the tournament despite a disrupted build-up.
“I’m positive about the season. We had a couple of injuries, but most of the players are back. Everyone is fit and training, and there’s a good vibe in the camp.”
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Steyn is expecting a stern examination from last season’s beaten finalists.
“The Lions are a quality outfit and are well coached. We can only control what is in our hands: preparing and executing our plans well.
“I think all the teams in this year’s Currie Cup are well coached and have good players who will do well this year.”
CHEETAHS – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Cohen Jasper, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Michael Annies, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Neels Volschenk (c), 7 Juan Venter, 6 Ramon Uys, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Tielman Niewoudt.
Bench: 16 Juan Smal, 17 Dux Manyama, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Simon Muller, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Ethan Wentzel, 23 Prince Nkabinde.
Photo: Steve Bardens/Getty Images
