Cheetahs sharpen claws for Bulls

Having had a bye last weekend

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the Cheetahs will start their Currie Cup campaign with the toughest possible assignment against the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

The Blue Bulls who recently

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captured the Super Rugby Unlocked trophy are the current

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pacesetters in the Currie Cup after their win over Western Province at Newlands last weekend.

They will be a tough nut to crack on home soil this weekend though the Cheetahs will

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not travel to Loftus as complete no-hopers.

The Bulls came through a particularly bruising northsouth derby against Western Province and will be without loosehead prop Jacques van Rooyen, who has copped a onematch suspension for his noarms tackle on Warrick Gelant.

It was deemed to be an entry-level offence, meaning he will serve only a one-match ban.

Unlike the Blue Bulls the

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Cheetahs should go into the match refreshed after their bye.

Their last match was against the Griquas on November 21 but

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they do have a long injury list that includes Oupa Mohoje (hamstring) Wilmar Arnoldi

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(cheekbone) Reniel Hugo (knee)‚

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Aranos Coetzee (ankle)‚ Ruan Pienaar (knee)‚ Craig Barry (knee) Charles Marais (neck)‚

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Hencus van Wyk (hamstring) and Aidon Davis (calf).

Victor Sekekete will be in the starting line-up this weekend for their first time in the Currie Cup

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as will George Cronjé, making his debut for the Cheetahs. The Cheetahs who are

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aiming for a top-two spot to gain home-ground advantage in the semifinals, will be desperate to come away with points at Loftus.

They are now fourth on the points table just one point ahead

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of the Golden Lions who have played one match more.

Should the Cheetahs lose to the Bulls the Lions will have the

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opportunity to leapfrog them into fourth spot if they beat Western Province.