Cheetahs surprise with inclusion of Liebenberg to face Bulls
The Cheetahs on Wednesday announced their Free State XV team to play against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria this Saturday, with a familiar face among the reserves.
Former Springbok hooker Tiaan Liebenberg is expected to make his comeback off the reserve bench, after a long absence from the SA rugby scene.
Liebenberg will be most familiar to Western Province and Stormers fans, where he played for several seasons from 2006-2014 and established himself as a stalwart. During that time he also had a short stint at French Top 14 club Toulon, in 2009.
Throughout his career, the 34-year-old veteran hooker also played for the Sharks, Griquas and Cheetahs. He played five Tests for the Springboks in 2012.
Liebenberg was forced to retire in 2014 after being afflicted by back injuries and returned to Bloemfontein to join the family business. Now, it appears he had been quietly training with the Cheetahs Currie Cup squad for the past few months and is ready to take to the field again.
The Toyota Free State XV will face the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld this Saturday, at 14h30.
Toyota Free State XV:
15. Reinardt Erwee,
14. Lorenzo Gordon,
13. Carl-Jan Coetzee,
12. Tertius Kruger,
11. Maphuta Dolo,
10. Pieter-Steyn de Wet,
9. JP Smith, 8. Jasper Wiese,
7. Tienie Burger,
6. Ntokozo Vidima,
5. Reniel Hugo (C)
4. Armandt Koster,
3. Yosuke Takahasi,
2. Joseph Dweba,
1. Ox Nche
Replacements:
16. Tiaan Liebenberg,
17. BG Uys,
18. Gunther Janse van Vuuren,
19. Justin Basson,
20. Refuoe Rampeta,
21. Renier Botha,
22. Darren Baron.
- ANA