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31/01/2008 21:59
Bloemfontein - The Cheetahs will weigh in for the Super 14 rugby competition when they take on the Sharks in a warm-up match here on Friday evening.
The match at Vodacom Park should provide an indication of what can be expected of coach Naka Drotské's side this year.
Most of the players in the squad were in action in trial matches last week but they are likely to find the visitors hard to beat.
The home side will concentrate on their own progress and put into practice what they have been working on during the pre-season.
"It is also important to test their fitness levels," Drotské said on Thursday. "There are some combinations that we're not sure about, and there are several vacancies.
"Everyone will be playing for his place. The competition among the loose forwards is particularly tough. And Jacques-Louis Potgieter is at flyhalf after Conrad Barnard had his chance last week."
The coach will take another good look at the centres and fullback Hennie Daniller should have a much sterner test than last week.
"This match will tell us whether Hennie is ready for Super 14 rugby," Drotské said. "We can also see whether (centre) JW Jonker is physically strong enough."
The Cheetahs and the Sharks also met shortly before the start of last year's Super 14 competition. The Sharks, playing at home, won 12-10 in a match marked by some fisticuffs.
With several players on both sides out to cement their places in the starting lineup, there won't be any holding back on Friday night.
The performance of French flyhalf Frederic Michalak and the way World Cup stars Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn are employed in the Sharks team will create much interest.
Pienaar and Steyn are likely to get a run off the substitutes' bench.
The teams:
Cheetahs: Hennie Daniller, Eddie Fredericks, JW Jonker, Meyer Bosman, Gavin Passens, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Falie Oelschig, Duanne Vermeulen, Juan Smith (capt), Heinrich Brüssow, Barend Pieterse, Rory Duncan, CJ van der Linde, Adriaan Strauss, Wian du Preez.
Substitutes: Richardt Strauss, Kobus Calldo, Flip van der Merwe, David de Villiers, Kabamba Floors, Darron Nell, Tobie Botes, Herkie Kruger, Jongi Nokwe and Hendrik Meyer.
Sharks: Stefan Terblanché, Frank Wagenstroom, Waylon Murray, Andries Strauss, Henno Mentz, Frederic Michalak, Charl McLeod, Jean Deysel, AJ Venter (capt), Keegan Daniel, Albert van den Berg, Johan Snyman, BJ Botha, Skipper Badenhorst, Tendai Mtawarira.
Substitutes: Kees Lensing, Jody Jenneker, Robbie Harris, Alistair Hargreaves, Johann Muller, Jacques Botes, Nikolai Blignaut, Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn, Adrian Jacobs, Dumisani Matyeshana.
Kickoff 18:30
Referee: Mark Lawrence.
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