Drotské backs young prop

Drotské backs young prop

27 Jun 2012

Naka Drotské has selected the uncapped Marcel van der Merwe at tighthead prop for the Cheetahs’ crunch match against the Bulls on Saturday.

Van der Merwe replaces the more experienced WP Nel at No 3 for what will be a forward-oriented clash. It will mark the first start in Super Rugby for the 22-year-old.

Trevor Nyakane will start at No 1 in the absence of Coenie Oosthuizen, who is still recovering from a neck injury sustained in the Springboks’ 1st Test against England.

Cheetahs – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Philip Snyman, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12, Andries Strauss, 11 Rocco Jansen, 10 Riaan Smit, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Trevor Nyakane.
Subs: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 WP Nel, 18 George Earle, 19 Justin Downey, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Nico Scheepers.


24 Comments

  • 1.Brigadier Van Zyl: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 10:15 am

    even though the bulls gave these okes a pasting a few months ago…..I’,m not at all confident.

  • 2.Unplugged: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 10:38 am

    Is there a prop foward tree growing in Naka’s backyard? Cheethas never seem to run out of props

  • 3.Jonck: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 10:42 am

    I rate him but check Marcel out on Saturday , at some stage in the game he will ask medical attention – he always ask. Not sure if he wants TV coverage but he always want some medical attention or just “attention”!

  • 4.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 10:45 am

    Good to see the youngster getting some game time. Glad to see Trevor also getting some game time. He is a beast with ball in hand. Willie Le Roux at 15. Interesting selection. This will bring him into the game a lot more which is good for him and the cheetahs.

    One of my favourite new players.

  • 5.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 10:46 am

    @Jonck(Jonck)-3: lol funny. i havent noticed that about him. will look out for it.

  • 6.Unplugged: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 10:51 am

    Can’t wait to see Brussow play this Saturday, i think he’s gonna have a huge game!

  • 7.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 10:58 am

    @Unplugged(Unplugged)-6: Yes he is going to prove to HM that he made a mistake in not picking him!

  • 8.Unplugged: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 11:00 am

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-7: And against the Bulls as well.

  • 9.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 11:01 am

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-4: as i said to someone else elsewhere, le roux played mostly 15 for Boland – you know that union that is part of the Stormers franchise but largely ignored – and features @ 10 when injuries hit them, he scored 23 tries for them from there.

  • 10.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 11:15 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-9: The Stormers need a memo at the start of every year…reminding them that Boland are part of the package.

  • 11.willievz: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 11:32 am

    Very interesting team.

    I am stoked for Lappies, I really rate this kid, a future Bok.

  • 12.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 11:43 am

    @willievz(willievz)-11: he was fantastic in the currie cup last year…wasn’t he playing for shimlas in varsity cup this year – cappie?

  • 13.WP_: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 11:46 am

    He is a loosehead isn’t he? He impressed there in the Currie Cup last year…

    Interesting selection this…

  • 14.willievz: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 12:09 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-12: That’s the one.

    You know me – I back the youngsters over the ou toppies. Let’s hope he can walk the walk in S15 too – I have little doubt.

  • 15.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 12:13 pm

    @willievz(willievz)-14: he scored brilliant tries against the sharks last year in bloem, in that game he & goosen were unstoppable.

  • 16.Beertjie: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 12:24 pm

    Buuls Team: Zane Kirchner, Akona Ndungane, JJ Engelbrecht, Wynand Olivier, Bjorn Basson, Mornè Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies (c), Jacques Potgieter, Dewald Potgieter, Juandrè Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Dean Greyling. Replacements: Willie Wepener, Frik Kirsten, Wilhelm Steenkamp, CJ Stander, Jano Vermaak, Louis Fouché, Francois Venter.

  • 17.willievz: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 12:24 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-15: Considering the injury to Juan, I was very suprised that Lappies did not start the season as a first choice backrower.

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-4: Willie at 15 could work, but I am concerned that he might be looking for TOO much work, and therefore be out of position on turnover ball / downfield kicks.

    A winger is supposed to look for more work, on defense and attack (which Willie does well), and a drift defense can partly offset him being out of position on defense.

    But a fullback should focus on being the last line of defense and positioning. He will need to know when to join the line and when not to.

  • 18.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 12:28 pm

    I thought the Niknaks man was injured?

  • 19.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 12:31 pm

    @Sasuke(Sasuke)-4:

    he used to be 15 if I’m not mistaken?

  • 20.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 12:38 pm

    @willievz(willievz)-17: we know you like traditional big boot fullbacks but willie can be like dagg and find a balance between attack & defensive positioning/awareness.

  • 21.willievz: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 12:49 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-20: I used to, before Andries Coetzee came onto the scene ;)

  • 22.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 13:06 pm

    @Transformation(Transformation)-9: @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-19: Thanks. Still dont understand how WP let him slip through.

    @Transformation(Transformation)-20: He needs to work on his defence though. Especially tackling.

  • 23.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 13:41 pm

    Brussow will be back for the Wallabies and Abs

    unthinkable to go against McCaw, Pocock without him.

  • 24.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    27 Jun 2012, 22:29 pm

    @Gumboots(Gumboots)-18:

    Mr Niknaks to you Omar you chippy fu.cker.

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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