Cheetahs v Lions build-up - Skipper Naas Olivier dropped to bench – Super Rugby update
Naka Drotske, the Cheetahs coach has decided to drop Naas Olivier the skipper to the bench for the upcoming fixture against Lions on Saturday in a Super 15 derby. Drotske announced the Cheetahs squad and made this major change along with a few adjustments
on the field.
On the other hand, Heinrich Brussow the South African flanker will be returning to the senior squad for the first time after being included in the first fifteen for over a year. He was suffering through knee injury and just recovered from torn ligaments
in his knee last year during a tough battle. Brussow had tom go under two operations to overcome the obstacle between him and his passion. He missed the entire international season as well.
Inclusion of Brussow is one of the five major changes that Drotske madefor the Lions clash. He has included Phillip van der Walt, Martin Muller, Sias Ebersohn and Riaan Viljoen alongside Brussow for the important derby.
Along with Olivier, Kabamba Floors and Francois Uys have been dropped to bench, Walties Vermeulen has not been included in the replacements either.
Talking about the relegation of Olivier to the bench Drotske said, “Naas kicked well at posts against the Stormers, but his tactical play is not quite on par.”
He added, “We want to take the pressure off him and Sias deserves an opportunity.”
Cheetahs’ squad for Saturday’s clash against Lions:
Replacements:
16 Skipper Badenhorst,
17 Kobus Calldo,
18 Kabamba Floors,
19 Francois Uys,
20 Tewis de Bruyn,
21 Naas Olivier,
22 Fabien Juries.
Cheetahs’ First-XV:
15 Riaan Viljoen,
14 Philip Snyman,
13 Robert Ebersohn,
12 Andries Strauss,
11 Ryno Benjamin,
10 Sias Ebersohn,
9 Sarel Pretorius,
8 Ashley Johnson,
7 Philip van der Walt,
6 Heinrich Brussow,
5 Martin Muller,
4 Wilhelm Steenkamp,
3 WP Nel,
2 Rayno Barnes,
1 Coenie Oosthuizen
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