Cheetahs coach rings changes against Lions

BEFITTING a team in transition, the Cheetahs have made a raft of changes for their Currie Cup clash against the Golden Lions in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Centre Tertius Kruger, scrumhalf Zee Mkhabela, No 8 Gerhard Olivier, flank Vincent Jobo and lock Freddy Ngoza all occupy starting positions as coach Franco Smith goes in search of the dual objective of lifting performance and broadening match-time exposure.

His brief in his first full year in charge is lifting performance and building a team capable of competing in next year’s revamped Super Rugby competition.

To that end centre Rayno Benjamin, flyhalf Fred Zeilinga, scrumhalf Shaun Venter and lock Armandt Koster drop from the starting lineup, with all apart from the second rower earmarked for a seat on the bench.

Making so many changes can be massively disruptive, especially as the Cheetahs prepare to take on the unbeaten, table-topping Lions. But Smith is forced to make some brave decisions.

His decision to replace his nine, 10, 12 axis is particularly brave, as much of his team’s direction will be generated from there. Ebersohn has had to play in the shadow of Zeilinga, who has warmed to the flyhalf role in the Currie Cup.

Ebersohn may have the steadier boot but Zeilinga provides thrust with ball in hand, an element of his play the Cheetahs are hoping to see an abundance of when he comes off the bench.

Benjamin finds himself on the bench against the team he used to represent. Typically, his season has been one of peaks and troughs.

In an interesting shift, Niell Jordaan, who had seemed to nail down the No 8 position from the moment he made his debut in the Cheetahs’ second last league match in Super Rugby, will start at flank. Olivier, who has been used at flank, will pack down at the back of the scrum.

Despite the changes, Smith will be looking for a performance to solidify fourth spot on the points table.