Preview Cheetahs v Pau Today. Kick-off 3.15pm
TWO teams with almost identical Pool B records meet today knowing victory is a must to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Both sides have won one and lost two heading into the pool stage finale to sit level on six points. In the reverse fixture last month, the Cheetahs came away with a battling 21-16 victory in France.
“We said from the start we wanted to reach the top six. We want to use the opportunity to show that the Cheetahs belong in international rugby,” said Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie. “No rain is expected making it possible to handle the ball well, keep it through phases, and play attacking rugby.”
Daniel Maartens comes in at flanker to replace the injured Sibabalo Qoma (ankle) and Robert Ebersohn replaces Reinhardt Fortuin (calf).
For Pau, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Siate Tokolahi, Guillaume Ducat, Mickael Capelli, captain Martin Puech, Jordan Joseph and Clement Laporte all return.
TEAMS
CHEETAHS: Mafura, Kasende, Brits, Fortuin, Hartzenberg, Masuku, Kruger; Ferreira, VD Westhuizen, Coetzee, Bernardo, Sekekete (c), Maartens, Olivier, Rudolph
Replacements: JV Rensburg, Tshakweni, Van Wyk, Zito, Smit, De Kock, Ebersohn, Loubser
PAU: Attisogbe, Laporte, Reilhac, Decron, Ikpefan, Debaes, Le Bail; Calles, Ruffenach, Tokolahi, Ducat, Capelli, Zegueur, Puech (c), Joseph
Replacements: Rey, Senega, Papidze, Tagitagivalu, Hamonou, Hewat, Robson, Manu
