Cheetahs v Reds - Super Rugby match preview
The Cheetahs have made two changes to their starting XV ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby encounter with the Reds.
Last Updated: 17/05/13 10:18am
Fly-half Elgar Watts will make his first start of the 2013 campaign for the Cheetahs having impressed from the bench against the Hurricanes last weekend.
Watts' inclusion at half-back means there is no place in the match-day squad for Burton Francis while Johan Goosen still recovering from injury.
Flanker Frans Viljoen has also been left out of the squad following the 39-34 defeat at home to the Hurricanes as Lappies Labuschagne should be fit to start after three weeks out injured.
Reds director of rugby Ewen McKenzie also names two changes to his squad as they look to extend their unbeaten run to eight games.
Captain James Horwill has been cleared to start after a jaw injury kept him out of last weekend's 32-17 victory against the Sharks.
The return of second-row Horwill leaves Ed O'Donoghue on the bench having deputised for the absent skipper last time out.
McKenzie's only other change see Luke Morahan start at full-back with Jono Lance unavailable having sustained a shoulder injury.
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (capt), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Ligtoring Landman, 19 Boom Prinsloo, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Riaan Smit, 22 Rayno Benjamin.
Reds: 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Rod Davies, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Anthony Faingaa, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Eddie Quirk, 5 James Horwill (capt), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Greg Holmes.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Ed O'Donoghue, 19 Jarrad Butler, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Ben Lucas, 22 Ben Tapuai.
What they said...
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske
"At this stage we've decided to go for the more attacking option which is definitely Elgar Watts, with Johan Goosen out he is our best attacking fly-half."
Reds director of rugby Ewen McKenzie
"The Cheetahs have always been renowned for their willingness to attack but this year they are doing so with a lot more confidence.
"They've got plenty of x-factor and they are enjoying their best season yet in Super Rugby."