Cheetahs lose Nyakane
by Brenden Nel 27 August 2012, 15:45
The Toyota Free State Cheetahs were hit with another injury blow when they lost promising prop Trevor Nyakane -- possibly for the rest of the Absa Currie Cup season.
Nyakane broke his thumb in the Cheetahs' 29-16 win over Griquas on Saturday in Kimberley and will be out for between six to eight weeks, with the Cheetahs desperately looking around for back-up for the rest of the season.
Even if the news is good and Nyakane returns in six weeks, that puts it just before the semifinal of the Currie Cup and he will be hard pressed to make it back for the final part of the competition.
However, the Cheetahs will now call up Schalk van der Merwe to the front row after he impressed after coming off the bench in the win over Griquas, while veteran Ross Geldenhuys is likely to come onto the bench.
But with the loss of WP Nel (Scotland) and Coenie Oosthuizen (injured), it means that the Cheetahs cupboard is almost bare at the moment, ahead of a big game against the Sharks this weekend.
“We have Schalk, but Trevor is a big loss, and Ross is there as back-up, especially as Coenie will still be out for two to three weeks, but we must find backup,” Drotske told supersport.com.
“I’m happy with the way we played against Griquas -- we struggled in the first half with the wind, but in the second half were able to put more moves together and carry the ball more. It was a good victory to get.”
The Cheetahs aren’t likely to make too many changes ahead of the Sharks game, but will be hoping not to be hit by more injuries.
