Five players missing as Cheetahs face Bulls in Pretoria

Frans Steyn has implemented significant changes to the Cheetahs starting XV ahead of their Currie Cup fixture against the Vodacom Bulls XV. Five key players will miss the match in Pretoria due to various injuries.

Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk is unavailable following a shoulder injury, despite earning his second Man of the Match award this season in the recent victory over the Stormers XXIII. Veteran fullback Clayton Blommetjies is also sidelined after sustaining a concussion during the match at Athlone Stadium.

The injury list extends to the forward pack, with flanker Juan Venter dealing with a sternum issue, centre Marco Jansen van Vuren out with a chest injury, and prop Frankie Dos Reis sidelined by a knee problem. These absences have forced several positional shifts, including Simon Miller moving to flank and Aranos Coetzee joining the front row.

Jaco van der Walt and Rewan Kruger will operate as the new halfback pairing for the visitors. Cohen Jasper has been moved from the bench to the fullback position, while Jooste Nel enters the midfield to fill the gaps left by the injured personnel.

The Cheetahs currently occupy second place on the log, sharing a points total with Griquas. They face a Bulls XV side that remains winless and sits at the bottom of the table. The Bulls enter the match following a mixed run of form, including recent losses to Sanfrecce Hiroshima and a draw against Machida Zelvia.