The Cheetahs have made a raft of changes to their squad for the third and fourth rounds of the EPCR Challenge Cup with their hopes of reaching the playoffs hanging by a thread.
The Bloemfontein-based outfit leave for Amsterdam on Tuesday for their ‘home’ match against Ulster, before heading to Paris to conclude their pool campaign against Racing 92.
It is a pivotal fortnight for the Free Staters, who are under pressure after heavy defeats in their opening two matches – a 42-12 loss to the Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park and a 45-22 reverse against Stade Français in Amsterdam.
The Cheetahs prop up Pool 3 with zero points.
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Regular captain Victor Sekekete misses the tour as he continues to recover from a facial fracture, while former Shimlas captain Pierre Uys is also sidelined with a similar injury. Lock Juan Venter has been ruled out with a shoulder problem.
However, there is a boost in the engine room with experienced lock Pieter Jansen van Vuren returning from a long-term injury, while Arno van der Merwe, who can also cover at loose forward, adds depth to the pack.
There are a total of seven changes to the touring squad. Former Junior Boks hooker Juan Smal (pictured above) and tighthead prop Ben Pitout both earn their first call-ups, replacing Vernon Paulo and Tielman Nieuwoudt.
Flyhalf Jaco van der Walt and inside centre Zander du Plessis return from niggles, while Franco Smith and James Verity-Amm are also included.
Cheetahs squad:
Forwards – Aranos Coetzee, Cameron Dawson, Frankie Dos Reis, Marko Janse van Rensburg, Pieter Jansen van Vuren, Daniel Maartens, Dux Manyama, Ben Pitout, Juan Smal, Curtley Thomas, Arno van der Merwe, Gideon van der Merwe, Chucky van der Westhuizen, Neels Volschenk, Sisonke Vumazonke, Carl Wegner.
Backs – De-an Ackerman, Michael Annies, Zander du Plessis, Munier Hartzenberg, Marco Janse van Vuren, Rewan Kruger, Jandré Nel, Prince Nkabinde, Franco Smith, James Verity-Amm, Jaco van der Walt.
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
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