Cheetahs roll out the big guns for Zebre
Today at 09:36 AM
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs have selected their best possible side in their must-win EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Zebre on Sunday.
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After a draw against Perpignan and a defeat against Cardiff , the Cheetahs are fifth in Pool One, and a win would be essential to continue to the Round of 16.
The encounter promises excitement as Zebre would eye their first pool-stage win.
The four highest-ranked clubs in each pool of six qualify for the knockout stage.
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"Zebre is a good side upfront and has a good attacking side.
"We're not taking this game lightly.
"We know that we are up for a big fight.
"It is a big challenge for us," said Head Coach Izak van der Westhuizen.
"The Cheetahs, we represent Bloemfontein and the region and want to make all our supporters proud.
"We play for each other, and we play for the supporters, and the pressure is always there to make our people proud.
"We have a couple of injuries with senior players in key positions, but it is just how rugby works.
"You can never predict these things, and it allows younger players to show that they deserve to play at this level.
"Despite the injuries the vibe in the camp is good," he added.
"We have a couple of youngsters eager to raise their hand and earn a spot in the team," said captain Victor Sekekete.
"Returning after the festive season, it was clear that the guys needed a break of some sort.
"We are a family-orientated team, the guys returned rejuvenated, and the bodies had time to rest.
"The guys had energy and effort in training, so the break was good."
Cheetahs: 15 Micheal Annies, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Ruben de Haas, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Pieter Janse van Vuuren, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Hencus van Wyk
Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Corné Fourie, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Pierre-Raymond Uys, 20 Sisonke Vumazonke, 21 Litha Nkula, 22 Jandre Nel, 23 Cohen Jasper
Date: Sunday, January 12
Venue: NRCA Stadium, Amsterdam
Kick-off: 15.00 CET (16.00 SAST; 14.00 GMT)
Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Stuart Gaffkin (Ireland), Johnny Erskine (Ireland)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
Players who are not available for selection due to injury are: Cameron Dawson (calf), James Verity-Amm (knee), Gideon van der Merwe (ankle), Robert Hunt (calf), Banele Mthenjane (hamstring), Carl Wegner (finger), Oupa Mohoje (shoulder) and Schalk Ferreira (hamstring).
