EP must show grit when they face a furious physical onslaught from a revamped Cheetahs side in an SA Cup clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, Elephants coach Allister “Toetie” Coetzee said.
A valuable away win over the SWD Eagles in George last week has given the Gqeberha side a big boost ahead of the challenging showdown (3pm kickoff).
EP have scored 12 tries in three outings and their inventive backs will have a key role to play as they seek an upset win over the visitors.
Against the Eagles, Siya Nzuzo, JJ Scheepers, Shirwin Cupido, Masikane Mazwi and Deon Plaatjies all scored five pointers for EP.
Rated as early favourites to end among the top four teams in the competition, and clinch a berth in the Currie Cup Premier Division, the Free Staters have made a stuttering start under new coach Frans Steyn.
Two defeats in their opening three matches have left the Cheetahs in sixth spot on the 10-team log and out of the qualifying positions.
If EP can defy the odds and down the Cheetahs they will leapfrog them on the log standings.
“This is a big game for EP and the SA Cup is a tough competition,” Coetzee said.
“Our boys will have to show grit and must be at their best against the Cheetahs.
“It will be a massive physical challenge for us, but we want to show improvement in our game and we will play for pride.
“Victory over the Eagles was a step in the right direction.
“This win was important for us after two losses and we stayed in the fight.
“We did not make a fast start in George, but we clawed our way back and led at halftime.”
Concerned Cheetahs coach Steyn has made 10 changes to the team that lost to the Pumas last week.
The exciting Michael Annies shifts to fullback to form a threatening back three with Prince Nkabinde and Litha Nkula, while Marco Jansen van Vuren partners Ali Mgijima in midfield.
Rewan Kruger starts at scrumhalf, replacing Jandre Nel, with Clayton Blommetjies coming in at flyhalf.
A revamped front row sees loosehead prop Schalk Ferreira scrum down with hooker Vernon Paulo and tighthead prop Robert Hunt.
“The Cheeths cannot afford any more setbacks, and if that happens, we are out of the Currie Cup and then we are going backwards as a union,” Steyn said.
“The SA Cup is very important to us, we still need to qualify for the Currie Cup.”
Teams:
EP Elephants: 1 Siya Nzuzo, 2 Deon Plaatjies, 3 Zuki Sali, 4 JJ Scheepers, 5 Hannes Huisamen, 6 CJ Velleman, 7 Stefan Willemse, 8 Athi Manentsa, 9 Shirwin Cupido, 10 Chris Humphries, 11 JD Jooste, 12 Troy Delport, 13 Sherwin Slater, 14 Rodney Damons, 15 Jaden Bantom. Replacements: 16 Masikane Mazwi, 17 Arno Gustafson, 18 Duncan Du Buisson, 19 Laken Gray, 20 Diego Williams, 21 Wayne Ngubane, 22 Chadwyn November, 23 Aya Oliphant.
Cheetahs: 15 Michael Annies, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Litha Nkula, 10 Clayton Blommetjies, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Sisonke Vumazonke, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Victor Sekekete (capt), 4 Pieter Janse van Vuren, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Banele Mthenjane, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Raegan Oranje, 22 Jandre Nel, 23 Andell Loubser.
Referee: Jonathan Lottering
The Herald
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