Johannesburg – The Cheetahs have included new flyhalf Elgar Watts in their starting line-up to play the Bulls in their final pre-season warm-up game in Polokwane on Saturday.
The Cheetahs beat the Stormers 27-26 in Bloemfontein last week.
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske said Watts, who joined the Bloemfontein team from Boland at the end of last season, showed his worth in that game after coming onto the field as a replacement.
“He not only accurately kicked at goal, but also looked the part with regards to ball distribution and on the attack,” Drotske said on Wednesday.
Drotske has also opted to play Springbok flanker Juan Smith from the replacement bench after he made a big impact against the Stormers, where he played 30 minutes of rugby after a two-year absence due to injury.
Springbok hooker Adriaan Strauss will resume the captaincy.
Flanker Frans Viljoen and scrumhalf Piet van Zyl have also been promoted to the starting line-up, along with pacey winger Raymond Rhule.
Cheetahs team: Willie le Roux, Rayno Benjamin, Johann Sadie, Robert Ebersohn, Raymond Rhule, Elgar Watts, Piet van Zyl, Phillip van der Walt, Lappies Labuschagne, Frans Viljoen, Francois Uys, Lood de Jager, Lourens Adriaanse, Adriaan Strauss (captain), Trevor Nyakane. Replacements: Ryno Barnes, Rossouw de Klerk, Ligtoring Landman, Juan Smith, Sarel Pretorius, Francois Brummer, Hennie Daniller, Hansie Graaff. – Sapa