Former Springbok captain Rassie Erasmus will make his 100th appearance for the Cheetahs when they take on a powerful Samoan team in an international match at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Wednesday night.
Erasmus admitted on Monday that he was proud to be making his century against such a strong Samoan team, comprising of their World Cup squad.
The Samoans recently finished their tour of Australia defeating the Waratahs and losing by a point against the Reds. The islanders should have too much firepower for the Cheetahs despite the hosts boasting a near full-strength Currie Cup squad. Any team that defeats the Waratahs in Australia and very nearly puts one over the Reds to boot, will take some beating for a non Super 12 team, and the Cheetahs, based on their performance against a poor Argentinean Provincial team in their last outing, could be on the receiving end.
The thrust of the Cheetahs offensive will come from their pacy backs, marshalled by the incomparable flyhalf Kennedy Tsimba. But for Tsimba to get his backs off to a fast start he will need the ball going forward and for that to happen the likes of locks Boela du Plooy and Gerrie Britz will have to be dominant in the line-out.
The front-row will also have to be at their best, and with two inexperienced flankers in Ryno van der Merwe and Nico Breedt, Erasmus will have to lead from the front.
The Cheetahs will be using the match as ideal Currie Cup preparations with their campaign set to start on July 26 against the top team in the qualifiers.
Teams:
Cheetahs:
Jaco van Schalkwyk, McNeil Hendriks, Chris Kruger, JP du Toit, Friedrich Lombars, Kennedy Tsimba, Neil Powell, Johan Erasmus =A9, Nico Breedt, Ryno van der Merwe, Gerrie Britz, Boela du Plooy, CJ van der Linde, Andre Langley, Guthro Steenkamp. Replacements: David Britz, Marius Mostert, Rayno Gerber, Marco Wentzel, Jimmy Powell, Tsepo Kokoali, Eddie Fredericks, Gromingo Muzinga.
Samoa:
Fa’atonu Fili, Ron Fanuatanu, Dale Rasmussen, Gaolo Elisara, Dominic Feaunati, Earl Va’a, Steven So’oialo, Pama petia, Ponali Tapelu, Junior Paramore, Leo Lafaiali’I, Kitiona Viliamu, Jeremy Tomuli, Mahonri Schwagler, Mark Laufaleaolo. Replacements: Denning Tyrell, Brian Lima, Sailosi Tagicakibau, Maurie Fa’asavalu, Jonothan Meredith, Opeta Palepoli, tamato Leupolu. – Sapa