Andries back for Cheetahs
13 Mar 2012
Andries Strauss has served his two-week suspension and will start for the Cheetahs against the Rebels on Sunday.
The inside centre was banned after his dangerous tackle on Lions lock Wikus van Heerden during the Cheetahs’ 27-25 opening round defeat in Johannesburg. Head coach Naka Drotské has confirmed to keo.co.za that he will pick Strauss in the No 12 jersey for the clash in Melbourne.
Another change will see Davon Raubenheimer promoted to the starting line-up after being dropped to the bench against the Brumbies last weekend. Raubenheimer will start at blindside flank, with Philip van der Walt shifting to No 8. This sees Ashley Johnson relegated to the reserves.
Meanwhile, Drotské confirmed that he had a chat with referee Keith Brown and Sanzar head of referees Lyndon Bray after the Cheetahs’ 24-23 defeat to the Brumbies in Canberra. The Cheetahs were heavily penalised at the death by Brown, which saw inside centre Christian Lealiifano kick the hosts to a late win with two three-pointers in the last five minutes of the match.
‘I’ve had a chat with Keith and Lyndon, and we will move on from the incident,’ Drotské told this website. ‘We made crucial errors late in the match, which cost us the win. We have done our video reviews and will learn from that experience.’
Cheetahs – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Cameron Jacobs, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 George Earle, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Subs: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Justin Downey, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Rayno Benjamin.
By Gareth Duncan
15 Comments
13 Mar 2012, 14:31 pm
Below is the Cheetahs line-up that will likely start winning games:
1. Oosthuyzen
2. Strauss (Becoming as crucial to the team as Smith, especially since there is no experienced back-up at hooker)
3. Nel
4. Smith (Cheetahs sorely need their captain back. And, yes, they must play him as their enforcer in the second row. Why? Because Ferreira, Earle etc. aren’t up to it. Simple as that).
5. ? (How Martin Muller didn’t get a look in is beyond me. The Cheetahs are hurting now that Steenkamp has gone back to the Bulls. Van Der Westhuyzen and Vermeulen both show some promise at least, and it will likely help to play Juan alongside one of them)
6. Brussow
7. Johnson (Let the guy play consistently to build up his confidence ffs)
8. Raubenheimer
9. De Bruyn (for his experience)
10. Goosen (class and youth combined)
11. Le Roux (looks class)
12. Strauss
13. Ebershon
14. Benjamin (not my favourite player but is quick and knows Ebershon well from 7s)
15. Daniller (big, imposing, good boot)
16. ? (again Liebenberg shows some promise but Cheetahs badly need an experienced back-up here)
17. Van Der Merwe or Aadrianse
18. Uys
19. Labuschagne
20. Van Zyl
21. Ebershon
22. Snyman
I really think the pack looks a damn side better with that front row and Smith at lock.
13 Mar 2012, 14:43 pm
that willie le roux has gas and a step, rising talent!
13 Mar 2012, 14:54 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-2: I wont be surprised if he makes the Bok squad this year, Even when he is running normally without stepping or flat out sprinting he looks class.
13 Mar 2012, 14:57 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-2:
I am not convinced about the Cheetahs’ 12s at the moment…it’s almost like they’re lacking a certain…something…I can’t quite place my finger on it though…
13 Mar 2012, 15:00 pm
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-3: i don’t know about bok squad, but the kid is blazing…how did WP not contract him?
13 Mar 2012, 15:03 pm
@willievz(willievz)-4: i know! no calming influence at all.
13 Mar 2012, 15:05 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-6:
I also can’t recall them making 17 tackles and missing ZERO, ever
13 Mar 2012, 15:06 pm
@puff(puff)-1: For me, Lappies has to be in the 22.
I would actually start him alongside Brussow and Johnson.
13 Mar 2012, 15:12 pm
@willievz(willievz)-8:
I have him on the bench
13 Mar 2012, 15:14 pm
@puff(puff)-9: Yep, saw that.
Good player. The next Rassie.
13 Mar 2012, 15:17 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-5: I know right crazy. WP does not aknowledge Boland that is clear.
13 Mar 2012, 15:40 pm
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-11: only scknowledge bolla
13 Mar 2012, 19:02 pm
@willievz(willievz)-4:
I have a solution, it’s called Bring Francois Steyn home!
13 Mar 2012, 19:05 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-2:
The worst thing that he could ever do would be to go to another team. There is no other team in SA that has a clue about what to do with talented little guys. There is a very long history of great players who disappeared due to domkrag rugby.
The Cheetahs are the only team about how to play these guys.
Anyone remember a certain chap called Chris Badenhorst? Best South African wing of the 80s.
14 Mar 2012, 06:20 am
@YoMama(YoMama)-14:
Yes Badenhorst had real pace..quite a talent.
Chris Badenhorst
Neil Burger
Deon Coetzee
Kobus Burger
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