Malcolm Jaer’s recovery from what looked like a serious knee injury last week has been so swift that he has been installed in the No 14 jersey for Saturday’s game at the Free State Stadium
MALCOLM Jaer appeared as if he sustained a serious knee injury at Newlands last week, but the flying wing has been passed fit by the Cheetahs for Saturday’s Super Rugby Unlocked clash against the Pumas in Bloemfontein.
Jaer, who started at left wing for the Green team against the Gold outfit in the Springbok Showdown, was taken off on a medical cart after his left knee buckled somewhat early in the first half.
But initial scans showed that it was not as bad as initially feared, with the 25-year-old taking to Instagram to say: “I’m humble and grateful for all the kind messages I have received over the weekend from everyone. God has shown his favour once again and I’ll be on track in the next few days.”
His recovery has been so swift that he has been installed in the No 14 jersey for Saturday’s game at the Free State Stadium (4.30pm kick-off). He is part of a backline loaded with pace and experience in the shape of Clayton Blommetjies, Rosko Specman, Frans Steyn and captain Ruan Pienaar.
Two other players who featured in the Bok Showdown, flank Junior Pokomela and tighthead prop Luan de Bruin, will also run out against the Pumas.
Classy former Southern Kings loose forward Andisa Ntsila will make his competitive Cheetahs debut, having recovered from Covid-19 in July after moving from Port Elizabeth.
Coach Hawies Fourie, though, was unable to call on the following players due to injury: Wilmar Arnoldi (cheekbone), Reniel Hugo (knee), Aranos Coetzee (ankle), Rhyno Smith (quad) and Duncan Saal (hamstring).
For the Pumas, centre Ryan Nell will again lead the Mpumalanga side, who have a number of experienced provincial campaigners such as fullback Devon Williams, wing Luther Obi and giant lock Le Roux Roets in their line-up.
Teams For Bloemfontein
Cheetahs (15-1): Clayton Blommetjies, Malcolm Jaer, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Frans Steyn, Rosko Specman, Tian Schoeman, Ruan Pienaar (c), Jasper Wiese, Junior Pokomela, Andisa Ntsila, Walt Steenkamp, Carl Wegner, Luan de Bruin, Reinach Venter, Charles Marais. Bench: Louis van der Westhuizen, Boan Venter, Erich de Jager, JP du Preez, Chris Massyn, Aidon Davis, Tian Meyer, William Small-Smith.
Pumas (15-1): Devon Williams, Luther Obi, Wayne van der Bank, Ryan Nell (c), Neil Maritz, Eddie Fouché, Ginter Smuts, Willie Engelbrecht, Kwanda Dimaza, Daniel Maartens, Cameron Lindsay, Le Roux Roets, Ruan Kramer, Marko Janse van Rensburg, Morgan Naudé. Bench: Simon Westraadt, Liam Hendricks, Dewald Maritz, Darrien Landsberg, Jeandré Rudolph, Dian Badenhorst, Niel Marais, Ruwellyn Isbell.
