Cheetahs eyeing second Super XV win at home – Rugby news
Cheetahs will take respite, as they will play six of their remaining eight matches in Super XV at home. Cheetahs are placed at the 14th spot in the Super XV have only played two matches at home so far.
Prior to their Saturday encounter, they have played eight matches in Super XV and lost seven of them.
Cheetahs are coming after a month long tour of Australasia and during the tour; they managed to secure their first win of Super XV as they defeated Waratahs 23 – 3.
Naka Drotske, Cheetahs coach has made three changes in his side that will take field against the Hurricanes on Saturday. Particularly the return of the Springbok sensation Adriaan Strauss from the injury has increased the team’s hopes to register their second
win in the season
Adriaan Strauss will be returning to squad after an absence of eight weeks. Strauss fractured his hand during the Cheetahs first game of Super XV against the Sharks. Although he will start on bench, but he will take field during the first half. Winger Ryno
Benjamin has replaced Corne Uys while Barry Geel will start at inside centre.
Hurricanes have so far played seven games and like Cheetahs have won a single game. They are currently at 12th position and a win here will give them some opening to be able to reach the play offs.
Both teams have played five matches out of which Hurricanes have won three. Hurricanes have won the three matches consecutively with one of the win coming in Bloemfontein in 2008. Last year Cheetahs overpowered the Hurricanes as they defeated them by 16
points. Both of the Cheetahs win over the Hurricanes have came at Bloemfontein.
Hurricanes have made number of changes to the side, which played against the Brumbies during last week. Hurricanes were disappointed with the end result but they did put up the effort to win the game.
Conrad Smith injury has made way for Jayden Hayward. Smith returned home with a broken nose. Smith took the blow on nose during Hurricanes last week match against the Brumbies. Aaron Cruden has not recovered from the left Achilles strain and will not take
part during Saturday’s encounter against the Cheetahs. Cruden sustained strain in his left Achilles and was replaced at the half time in their match against the Brumbies.
Beauden Barrett will play his first game for the Hurricanes, as he will start the match at bench. Neemia Tialata and Jason Eaton are also named at bench making way for Michael Bent and James Broadhurst.
Hurricanes will be without the services of Cory Jane who is currently on paternity leave will join the team on Monday.
As both teams are struggling to find their peak in the Super XV, still with the home ground and crowd advantage Cheetahs hold an edge over the Hurricanes. Hurricanes without their frontline players who are missing out due to injuries do not pose a great
challenge to the Cheetahs at home.
Cheetahs are expected to record their second win in the tournament by with a lead of 7 – 10 points. A win for Cheetahs will surely end the Hurricanes play offs hope.
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