Cats change their spots again
Joe van Niekerk is the most significant addition to another radically revised Cats team for Saturday's match against the Chiefs.
The Springbok flank has had a truncated season because of injury, but his return for this weekend's match in Rotorua will, if team management have their way, be the start of an extended stint in the team.
Coach Tim Lane has again ruthlessly applied the axe, changing the centres, scrumhalf, hooker and both flankers for Saturday's clash. Last week he made nine changes to the starting XV.
"Joe's fully fit again," Lane said. "There are a number of players who have benefited from time on the sidelines. Hopefully they can make an impact for us. In fact, the other guys who will stay in the team will have a chance to make amends for last week," Lane said in reference to their 65-34 loss to the Crusaders.
Van Niekerk's return, however, has been offset by the absence of André Pretorius. The Springbok flyhalf missed last week's match with a knee injury.
Lock Kleinjan Tromp is the other player not considered for selection because of injury.
Had he been fit, Pretorius would almost surely have replaced Kennedy Tsimba after his rather inauspicious debut in the starting line-up last week.
"We missed a lot of tackles at 10, 12 and 13. Kennedy would have learned from that experience," Lane said.
Although the Sharks beat the Chiefs last week, Lane does not draw too much inspiration from the result. "That was a pretty ordinary match. I don't think the Sharks or the Chiefs were close to their best. We can't underestimate the Chiefs. They've got some good backs and Marty Holah is having a good season," Lane said.
The coach added that centre Adrian Jacobs would be returning home after being injured at practice earlier this week.
The Stormers have meanwhile included Rassie Erasmus as one of their reserves for Saturday's clash against the Blues at Newlands. Erasmus, the former Springbok and Cats captain, is in the squad after Corné Krige was ruled out of the remainder of the competition because of injury.
Fullback Lean van Dyk has been dropped for Pieter Rossouw, who will slot in on the left wing, while Leon van den Heever moves to fullback. Tighthead prop Cobus Visagie replaces Faan Rautenbach.
The Bulls have also made some welcome additions. Captain Joost van der Westhuizen is back from injury and he will form a revamped halfback combination with Louis Koen.
Centre Ettienne Botha comes in for Dewey Swartbooi, while lock Geo Cronjé replaces the injured Victor Matfield. Danie Coetzee is in the starting line-up at the expense of Dale Santon.
South African Super 12 Teams
Cats (v Chiefs)
- Jaque Fourie; Ashwin Willemse, Jorrie Muller, Gcobani Bobo, Friedrich Lombard; Kennedy Tsimba, Enrico Januarie; Bob Skinstad (capt), Joe van Niekerk, Hendro Scoltz; Marco Wentzel, Jannes Labuschagne; Baksteen Nell, Hanyani Shimange, Lawrence Sephaka. Substitutes: Delarey du Preez, Pat Barnard, Kleinjan Tromp, Jaun Smith; Norman Jordaan, Rudi Coetzee, A.N. Other
Bulls (v Reds)
- Jaco van der Westhuyzen; Anton Pitout, Frikkie Welsh, Ettienne Botha, Eddie Fredericks; Louis Koen, Joost van der Westhuizen (capt); Pedrie Wannenburg, Wikus van Heerden, Piet Krause; Geo Cronjé, Bakkies Botha; Matthew Proudfoot, Danie Coetzee, Christo Bezuidenhout. Substitutes: Dale Santon, Wessel Roux, Danie Rossouw, Jacques Cronjé; Fourie du Preez, Derick Hougaard, Fabian Juries
Stormers (v Blues)
- Leon van den Heever; Gus Theron, Robbie Fleck, De Wet Barry, Pieter Rossouw; Werner Greeff, Bolla Conradie; Adri Badenhorst, Pierre Uys, Hendrik Gerber; Selborne Boome (capt), Quinton Davids; Cobus Visagie, Tjoepie van den Heever, Daan Human. Substitutes: Skipper Badenhorst, Faan Rautenbach, Hottie Louw, Rassie Erasmus; Neil de Kock, Marius Joubert, Egon Seconds