Cheetahs vs Stormers: Stormers start the year 2-0

Roar Guru

5th March, 2016

1759 Reads

Kickoff: 2:05am (AEDT)
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Referee: Craig Joubert
Betting: Cheetahs $2.95, Stormers $1.39

Cheetahs
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 William Small-Smith, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Uzair Cassiem, 6 Paul Schoeman, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Maks van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Charles Marais
Replacements: 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Luan de Bruin, 19 Francois Uys, 20 Boom Prinsloo, 21 Henco Venter, 22 Tian Meyer, 23 Niel Marais

Stormers
15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (co-captain), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Oli Kebble
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 JC Janse van Rensburg, 18 Frans Malherbe (co-captain), 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Siya Kolisi, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Huw Jones

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The Cheetahs are no more. (Photo: Paul Barkley/LookPro)

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Roar Guru

5th March, 2016

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1759 Reads

Match result:

The Stormers have a perfect start to the season, boasting a 2-0 record after a 10-point win over the Cheetahs.

REPORT: STORMERS TOO STRONG FOR CHEETAHS

But while last year’s South African champs may be off to the ideal start, the loss leaves the Cheetahs winless so far in 2016.

Final score
Cheetahs 10
Stormers 20

Match preview:

The only South African derby from Round 2 of Super Rugby sees the Stormers travel to Bloemfontein to tackle the Cheetahs. Join The Roar from 2am (AEDT) for all the action.

The Cheetahs suffered a defeat at home to the Jaguares last weekend, and can’t afford drop another home match so early in the season, with their overseas portion of the season still to come.

The Stormers are looking to build on a solid home win over rivals the Bulls last weekend, and further stamp themselves as the Republic’s team to beat.

There were many pleasing aspects to the Cheetahs’ play last weekend, taking the match to the more experienced Jaguares, utilising their pace and skill to score over 30 points. They should play expansively against the Stormers, but with more control in the halves, where Fred Zeilinga really needs to take more control.

A big problem area for the Cheetahs was in tight, where the Jaguares gave the Free State men a torrid time, particularly in the second half. It will not get any easier this week against a powerful and in-form Stormers eight, led by the indomitable Eben Eztebeth.

The Stormers themselves will not be afraid to play an expansive game, with plenty of threats of their own. New sensation Robert du Preez made an impressive debut last weekend from first five, and the side are a different proposition this season, looking far better rounded.

One match-up to keep tabs on will be the battle between Springbok incumbents in the second row, Eztebeth and Lodewyk de Jager, two of the premier locks in World Rugby. All bets will be off as they put their friendship to one side for 80 minutes.

Prediction
It will be a tough, physical encounter for the first 50 minutes, but the Stormers’ bench will see them pull away in the closing stages.

Stormers by 20.

Join The Roar for this South African derby, and be sure to add your thoughts below as the game progresses.

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