Makazole Mapimpi will earn his first Currie Cup cap when he starts on the wing for the Free State Cheetahs against Western Province in Bloemfontein on Sunday.
Mapimpi’s inclusion, in place of Raymond Rhule, is one of four changes to the run-on XV. The speedster had a excellent Super Rugby season with the Kings, but has since joined the Cheetahs.
Among the forwards, tighthead prop Tom Boths takes the place of Aranos Coetzee, Justin Basson will wear the No 4 jersey ahead of Carl Wegner, and Oupa Mohoje returns to the back row with Henco Venter dropping to the bench.
Mohoje’s inclusion prompted a reshuffle in the loose trio, with Uzair Cassiem shifting to No 8.
On the bench, Ryno Benjamin and Malcolm Jaer replace JW Jonker and Cecil Afrika respectively. Jaer will also make his debut for the Cheetahs after signing on from the Kings.
Free State Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Rosco Speckman, 13 Francois Venter (c), 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Niel Jordaan, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Justin Basson, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Joseph Dweba, 1 Charles Marais.
Subs: 16 Ox Nche, 17 Reinach Venter, 18 Rynier Bernado, 19 Henco Venter, 20 Zee Mkhabela, 21 Ryno Benjamin, 22 Malcolm Jaer.
Photo: Deryck Foster/BackpagePix
