Dealing with pressure key

Rudolph Jacobs

Cheetahs Super Rugby captain Francois Venter (above) believes they will have to handle the pressure better this weekend if they want to be successful against the Stormers at Newlands.

The Cheetahs suffered the third defeat of their campaign when they lost 38-30 to the Sharks in Bloemfontein last weekend, but said they were their own worst enemy after taking a 23-15 lead shortly after the break.

“I believed we let them back in so we are all obviously very disappointed,” said Venter.

Last weekend was Venter’s first game after missing the first four matches with an ankle injury and now there’s renewed doubt after injuring his hamstring. But Venter, who scored his team’s opening try, said he didn’t feel a lot of rustiness despite it being his first game after a long absence.

“The guys around me helped me a lot in coming back, so there was no big issues,” he said.

The Stormers have problems of their own after the injury setbacks to flank Rynhardt Elstadt and flying wing Seabelo Senatla. Dillyn Leyds will probably replace Senatla from fullback.