Drotske makes four changes for Semi-final

Free State Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske made four changes to last weekend’s starting line-up for Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-final against the Sharks in Durban.

Sevens Springbok Lionel Mapoe replaces another Sevens Bok Danwel Demas on the right wing after recovering from injury.

Flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter’s back has recovered sufficiently for him to be included in place of Louis Strydom and scrumhalf JP Joubert and tighthead WP Nel replace Tewis de Bruyn and Coenie Oosthuizen respectively.

Oosthuizen, as a hooker according to the team sheet, Strydom and De Bruyn drop to the bench and Demas is out of the squad altogether.

It is interesting to note that Drotske, as he did last weekend, has again selected two props – one ostensibly as a hooker – on the bench without cover in the lineouts with Hendro Scholtz and Kabamba Floors not regular lineout men or locks.

The Free State team is:

Hennie Daniller, Lionel Mapoe, Corné Uys, Meyer Bosman, Jongi Nokwe, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, JP Joubert Ashley Johnson, Frans Viljoen, Heinrich Brussow, David de Villiers, Nico Breedt (capt.), WP Nel Richardt Strauss, Wian du Preez.