Griquas change four for Cheetahs

Griquas have made four changes to their starting XV for their derby match against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Hawies Fourie's team opened their campaign with a narrow 31-24 loss to the Sharks, despite playing for nearly the whole match with 14 men. Jonathan Francke, the man who saw red in that game for a tip tackle, has lost his place in the side and is replaced with PJ Vermeulen.

Elsewhere in the backline, Edries Arendse gets a run at right wing, with Danie Dames dropping out of the match-day squad. Another player who will play no part is ex-Springbok Hilton Lobberts, whose place on the side of the scrum is taken by RJ Liebenburg.

The final change sees Ewald van der Westhuizen at tighthead prop, with Maks van Dyk dropping to the bench.

Griquas are looking to end a five-game losing streak against their neighbours, with their last victory occurring in Kimberley back in 2011.

Griquas – 15 Nico Scheepers, 14 Edries Arendse, 13 PJ Vermeulen, 12 Wayne Stevens (c), 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Carel Greeff, 7 RJ Liebenberg, 6 Marnus Schoeman, 5 Jaco Nepgen, 4 Willem Serfontein, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Steph Roberts.
Subs: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 Maks Van Dyk, 18 Hugo Kloppers, 19 Burger Schoeman, 20 Abrie Griesel, 21 Marais Schmidt, 22 Jonathan Francke.

Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images