The Free State Cheetahs will be forced into a key change to their backline for Sunday’s Currie Cup semi-final against the Pumas at Free State Stadium after fullback Clayton Blommetjies was ruled out with a thigh injury sustained in last weekend’s defeat in Nelspruit.
Team changes and the starting XV
Head coach Frans Steyn has named an adjusted starting XV, with Cohen Jasper promoted to start at fullback (15). The reshuffle also includes a refreshed front row that pairs Tebogo Nkosi and Marko Janse van Rensburg alongside Frankie Dos Reis.
Inside the pack, Victor Sekekete and Carl Wegner will form the engine room, while Ramon Uys comes into the loose trio. The halfback combination will see Jaco van der Walt at flyhalf outside veteran scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, and Zander du Plessis starts in midfield.
Captain Neels Volschenk will lead a forward group that includes a promoted Simon Miller in the starting pack as the Cheetahs aim to recover from a heavy loss last week and secure a place in the Currie Cup final.
| Cheetahs starting XV (selected) | |
|---|---|
| 15 | Cohen Jasper |
| 14 | Michael Annies |
| 13 | Carel-Jan Coetzee |
| 12 | Zander du Plessis |
| 11 | Prince Nkabinde |
| 10 | Jaco van der Walt |
| 9 | Faf de Klerk |
| 8 | Neels Volschenk (c) |
| 7 | Simon Miller |
| 6 | Ramon Uys |
| 5 | Victor Sekekete |
| 4 | Carl Wegner |
| 3 | Frankie Dos Reis |
| 2 | Marko Janse van Rensburg |
| 1 | Tebogo Nkosi |
Bench and opposition
The Cheetahs bench will include players such as Stefan Venter, Tielman Niewoudt and Marco Jansen van Vuren, offering depth should the match require impact replacements.
They face a confident Pumas side coached by Jimmy Stonehouse, who arrive in Bloemfontein buoyed by a strong win that clinched them a semi-final berth. The Pumas’ matchday 23 includes experienced performers such as flyhalf Clinton Swart and captain Willie Engelbrecht at number eight.
- Opposition key starters: Jaycee Nel (15), Darren Adonis (14), Clinton Swart (10), Willie Engelbrecht (8).
- Kick-off: Sunday at Free State Stadium (local kick-off time to be confirmed by organisers).
- Context: Cheetahs are seeking to overturn recent form after a 52-26 loss in Nelspruit.
What the changes mean
The loss of Blommetjies removes a safe, experienced option at fullback and forces Steyn to trust a less established player in that position. Cohen Jasper’s inclusion will be watched closely; his role will be pivotal for field positioning, counter-attacks and defensive coverage under pressure from the Pumas’ backline.
The reshaped front row and refreshed loose trio indicate Steyn’s focus on physicality up front. Pairing Sekekete with Wegner aims to provide a stronger presence in the tight phases and at the breakdown, while Uys and Miller’s involvement suggests a desire for a mobile, collision-oriented loose forward unit.
Jaco van der Walt’s inclusion at ten, combining with the experience of Faf de Klerk at nine, is an attempt to balance tactical kicking and tempo control. How well that combination manages the game will be crucial if the Cheetahs are to blunt the Pumas’ momentum.
Recent history and stakes
The Cheetahs are accustomed to the pressure of knockout rugby; they lifted the Currie Cup in 2023, beating the Pumas in the final at Free State Stadium. The Pumas, meanwhile, made consecutive finals in 2022 and 2023 and carry recent finals experience into this semi-final.
This fixture therefore not only offers local bragging rights but also has immediate implications for trophy hopes in the province. The outcome will determine who advances to contest the Currie Cup title.
Supporters planning to attend should verify kick-off times and ticketing information with the Free State Cheetahs’ official channels ahead of the match.
