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Bloemfontein - Cheetahs coach Franco Smith has named his team for their PRO14 encounter against Welsh side Cardiff Blues.
The match at Free State Stadium is scheduled for 19:15 on Saturday night.
The Cheetahs are hoping to bank their first victory of the season, having lost five and drawn one.
“The players have matured a lot from where they started off this season. There has been growth and experience. We are now able to look back at certain points of reference in games we’ve played this season. We make up for lack of experience through enthusiasm," Smith said.
“We work together as a team and we embrace the responsibility to play the supporters back into the stands. The winning mindset is important. The team has gelled together during the last two months and instead of individual efforts, it will take a team effort to get a win and we look forward to the challenge ahead.”
Centre William Small-Smith will be earning his 50th cap for the Cheetahs on Saturday, while wing Rhyno Smith, reserve hooker Reinach Venter and reserve utility forward Sintu Manjezi are set for their PRO14 debuts.
Teams:
Cheetahs
15 Malcolm Jaer, 14 Rhyno Smith, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Rabz Maxwane, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Shaun Venter (captain), 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Junior Pokomela, 6 Gerhard Olivier, 5 JP du Preez, 4 Walt Steenkamp, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Reinach Venter, 17 Charles Marais , 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Sinthu Manjezi, 20 Abongile Nonkontwana, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Louis Fouche, 23 Nico Lee
Cardiff Blues
15 Matthew Morgan, 14 Jason Harries, 13 Garyn Smith, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Aled Summerhill, 10 Steve Shingler, 9 Lloyd Williams (captain), 8 Seb Davies, 7 Olly Robinson, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Rory Thornton, 4 George Earle, 3 Scott Andrews, 2 Ethan Lewis, 1 Brad Thyer
Substitutes: 16 Liam Belcher, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Samu Manoa, 20 Nick Williams, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Dan Fish, 23 Willis Halaholo
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