Cheetahs bare their claws

The Cheetahs have rediscovered their Currie Cup magic and it’s probably the EP Kings who will be on the receiving end today.

Having enjoyed a bye last weekend after three straight wins in the competition, the Cheetahs are currently one of only two unbeaten teams left in the competition together with the pace-setting Sharks who could increase their lead today in Cape Town.

But the Cheetahs are still without regular skipper Francois Venter, who has been out of action with injury since before the last outing before their bye against Western Province at Newlands.

Scrumhalf Tian Meyer has, however, done a sterling job in his absence, leading the team to a 32-25 win at Newlands against Province and will again have the captaincy today against the winless Kings.

The Cheetahs trailed the Sharks by just a point at the top before the Free Staters had their bye, and now have a gap of five points to make up but with a game in hand.

Cheetahs coach Franco Smith has again rotated his front row with hooker Torsten van Jaarsveld replacing Jacques du Toit in the starting line-up, Tom Botha coming in for Johan Coetzee at tighthead, while at loosehead, the rising Ox Nche will be replacing Charles Marais.

Centre Michael van der Spuy has been added to the bench.

The Kings had a bad eight days when first they lost 36-6 to Province in Port Elizabeth last weekend, before losing 47-24 with a B side to Griquas in Kimberley on Wednesday. They led 17-14,but then conceded 33 points while only adding a further seven.

Kick-off: 3pm.