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Cheetahs have 38 in squad
28/01/2007 22:09 - (SA)
Hendrik Cronjé
Bloemfontein - Centre Hendrik Meyer, wing Giscard Pieters and flanker Duanne Vermeulen are still part of the Cheetahs' plans for this year's Super 14 rugby competition.
Their names were excluded when SA Rugby announced the South African squads last Wednesday but Cheetahs team manager Naka Drotské has confirmed that they will play in the Super 14.
"Our Super 14 squad consists of 38 players," Drotské said at the weekend. "Hendrik, Giscard and Duanne are in our squad."
Vermeulen was one of the stars in Durban last Wednesday when the Cheetahs played the Sharks. He still played Under-21 rugby last year but is the big surprise in Cheetahs coach Rassie Eramus's line-up.
The youngster showed against the Sharks that he was up to the challenge but the Cheetahs also have Heinrich Brüssow, Ashley Johnson, Bian Vermaak and Gareth Krause in the running for loose-forward berths.
Meyer also played in the warm-up match against the Sharks. He partnered Springbok Marius Joubert for the first 40 minutes before Meyer Bosman took over for the second half.
Pieterse played in the practice matches against Samoa and a combined regional team. He looked a little rusty after undergoing shoulder surgery last year but he is an outstanding finisher.
He may be given the opportunity to improve his sharpness in the Free State's Vodacom Cup team.
Eddie Fredericks and Philip Burger are in the inside lane to play on the right wing when the Cheetahs take on the Stormers in their opening Super 14 match in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Ronnie Cooke or Rayno Benjamin should be on the left wing. Drotské said Cooke had recovered from the rib injury he suffered in Durban.
Until he was injured, Cooke was the leading Currie Cup try scorer last year. In the end, Burger finished at the top of the list.
- Volksblad
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