Super 14 kicks off in Bloemfontein

Cheetahs v Lions Saturday 16 February
Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein, 19.05 (17.05 GMT)

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Originally uploaded by ThumbsUP.co.za

The two teams that contested the 2007 Currie Cup Final will meet at the same venue where they did battle last year, this time in the Super 14.

The Lions have had a far-from-ideal build-up to their season, losing Springbok flyhalf Andr� Pretorius for the season.

Bok teammate and Lions No.13 Jaque Fourie will also sit out the majority of the competition due to a groin injury.

However, Lions coach Eugene Eloff has more than suitable replacements in No.13 Jaco Pretorius and pivot Louis Strydom.

Strydom said that the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) are set to have a major impact on this year’s competition.

“The game is certainly quicker, there is action all the time, especially with the free-kicks, you have to recover and get back on defence much quicker,” Strydom said.

“There was a couple of occasions [in the pre-season matches] when I was in the 22 and forgot that I’m not allowed to kick directly into touch and that is quite an adjustment for me – it is certainly not that drastic that the game has changed,” the went on to say.

It will be interesting to see how both teams adapt to the ELVs on Saturday.

New Cheetahs coach, Naka Drotske was keen to emphasise the importance of getting off to a winning start.

“It is important to win you’re first match of the competition.

“Confidence play a huge role in the success of a team in the competition,” he said.

“It will be difficult to motivate the guys especially the younger players when you start your campaign with a defeat.

“To win on Saturday will definitely be a plus point,” the coach said.

Springbok Juan Smith will lead a powerful Cheetahs backrow, featuring Duanne Vermeulen and the talented youngster Heinrich Brussow.

The loss of pivot, Willem de Waal si a major loss for the Cheetahs, who are inexperienced in some key positions.

Jacques-Louis Potgieter will fill the boots of De Waal, and in the process will make his Super Rugby debut.

Prediction: Both sides are relatively young and inexperienced in terms of Super Rugby caps. Expect a comfortable win for the home side. Cheetahs by 10 or more points.

Recent Results;
2007: Cheetahs won 16-10, Johannesburg
2006: Cheetahs won 28-23, Kimberley

Teams:

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Eddie Fredericks, 13 JW Jonker, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Gavin Passens, 10 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 9 Falie Oelschig, 8 Duanne Vermeulen, 7 Juan Smith (captain), 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Rory Duncan, 4 Barend Pieterse, 3 Kobus Calldo, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Bees Roux, 18 David de Villiers, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20 Darron Nell, 21 Tobie Botes, 22 Conrad Barnard.

Lions: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Dusty Noble, 13 Jaco Pretorius (vc), 12 Doppies la Grange, 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Louis Strydom, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 RW Kember, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar (captain), 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Gert-Andries van der Merwe, 17 Gavin Williamson, 18 Alten Hulme, 19 Joe van Niekerk, 20 Chris Jonck, 21 Earl Rose, 22 Jaco van Schalkwyk.

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