Cheetahs shift speedster to centre

Cheetahs shift speedster to centre

19 Sep 2012

Cheetahs wing Raymond Rhule will start at outside centre when the Free State Cheetahs tackle the Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.

Rhule, who’s been one of the in-form youngsters in the Currie Cup this season, will get his first run in the No 13 jersey at senior level. He impressed in the position for the Free State U21s against Border in Bloemfontein, scoring a hat-trick in their 49-35 victory.

His switch sees skipper Robert Ebersohn shift to inside centre, while Andries Strauss drops to the bench. Rayno Benjamin starts at wing.

In other changes, Philip van der Walt returns to action and replaces Hendro Scholtz at No 8. There’s also rotation in the front row, with Marcel van der Merwe changing from tighthead to loosehead prop and Ross Geldenhuys getting a starting place. Schalk van der Merwe is out with injury.

As expected, prop Coenie Oosthuizen is is back in the match-day squad after recovering from a neck injury. He’s expected to feature at tighthead during the second half.

Free Sate Cheetahs – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Nico Scheepers, 13 Raymond Rhule, 12 Robert Ebersohn (c), 11 Rayno Benjamin, 10 Tewis du Bruyn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Francois Uys, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Hercu Liebenberg, 1 Marcel van der Merwe.
Subs: 16 AJ le Roux, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Carl Wegner, 19 Hendro Scholtz, 20 Sias Ebersohn, 21 Phillip Snyman, 22 Andries Strauss.


11 Comments

  • 1.numba4lock: Reply to this comment
    19 Sep 2012, 15:18 pm

    up and coming dragon
    !!

    In a cape argus article he did indicate that he would like a run out at centre

  • 2.blik: Reply to this comment
    19 Sep 2012, 15:20 pm

    Why is Marcel van der Merwe at Loosehead? We need to develop tightheads!!!!

  • 3.Nick Armstrong: Reply to this comment
    19 Sep 2012, 15:23 pm

    Go Cheetahs! :)

    Not sure about Tewis at flyhalf though..?

  • 4.Tarlo: Reply to this comment
    19 Sep 2012, 15:32 pm

    Wow De Bruyn at 10??? I’m a fan of outside the box but this is a bit over the top… Looking forward to seeing Rhule at center though, thats the kind of creativity I can support, who knows how it’ll turn out tho..

  • 5.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    19 Sep 2012, 15:37 pm

    @Nick Armstrong-3: @Tarlo-4: They really think Sias is that kak.

  • 6.grant10: Reply to this comment
    19 Sep 2012, 15:38 pm

    Hope Rhule signs at 13….another position we slightly thin on….

  • 7.katman: Reply to this comment
    19 Sep 2012, 15:42 pm

    @grant10-6: Mapoe, Taute, JPP, De Jongh, Jordaan… not really that thin.

    But I like the look of Rhule. Steps like the best pacific island imports in NZ.

  • 8.grant10: Reply to this comment
    19 Sep 2012, 15:47 pm

    @katman-7: yeah….really hope he comes through…lovely effortless running style

  • 9.mshiniwami: Reply to this comment
    19 Sep 2012, 16:04 pm

    Rhule played most of junior rugby at 13

  • 10.xtremebull: Reply to this comment
    19 Sep 2012, 17:19 pm

    Think the change is tactical as johan sadie will slot strtaight in no13 jumper… I had it coming and with hawies fourie as backline coach of cheetahs we will see a high profile backline of
    9-pretorius
    10-goosen
    11-rhule
    12-ebersohn
    13-sadie
    14-benjamin
    15-daniller

  • 11.numba4lock: Reply to this comment
    19 Sep 2012, 21:36 pm

    Thats not a bad backline at all. But expect to see Willie at full back for the SS season

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