Reshuffled Cheetahs in for massive catfight

Rudolph Jacobs

Has Cheetahs coach Franco Smith got something up his sleeve?

After the Jaguares overpowered the Lions in Buenos Aires last week, the Cheetahs will be extra wary having to venture onto the same ground in their Super Rugby clash tonight.

If was, therefore, noteworthy that Smith decided to relegate his flyhalf and the top points-scorer in the competition, Fred Zeilinga, to the bench and start with the more physical Niel Marais (right) at pivot.

Marais could be tasked to weather the storm initially before the more fleet-footed Zeilinga is sent on, especially now that they don’t have to worry about the absent Nicholas Sanchez in the flyhalf channel.

What was even more surprising is that Smith has left his captain and hooker of the first three matches Torsten van Jaarsveld entirely out of the matchday squad and handing the leadership to scrumhalf Tian Meyer.

Elandre Huggett will enjoy his first start in the No 2 jersey, while Smith has named the promising but inexperienced Joseph Dweba on the bench as back-up hooker.

But the Jaguares have showed they mean business this year, especially at home, spearheaded by their dynamic skipper Agustin Creevy.

Their international back row of Leonardo Senatore, Tomas Lezana and Pablo Matero also had the Lions at sixes and sevens last weekend and could again be a big threat.

Time will tell whether the Cheetahs’ decision to start with a new front row in Danie Mienie and Tom Botha with Huggett in the middle will bear fruit, while at lock Armandt Koster and flank Henco Venter are also new starters.

In the backline, fullback Clayton Blommetjies, centre Clinton Swart and captain Meyer are also the only ones starting in the same positions as last week.

The Cheetahs could be in for a long shot against the powerful Jaguares, who won’t have the backing of referee Nick Briant this time, as he is one of the assistant referees.

Kick-off: 9.40pm.