Cheetahs confound critics

Rudolph Jacobs

The Cheetahs have to climb their own Mount Everest when they come up against defending champions the Scarlets in Llanelli in the quarterfinals of the Pro14 tonight.

The Cheetahs under the coaching of Rory Duncan and captaincy of centre Francois Venter have defied the odds by reaching the play-offs in their first attempt by winning 12 of their 21 games.

Venter (right) said a trademark of Free State rugby has always been that there wouldn’t be a lot of people who will give them a chance or write them off before a season has even started. And tonight they have to bring their all against a Scarlets team who haven’t lost at home since 2016 and is spearheaded by Welsh fullback Leigh Halfpenny.

“I think the fight in our players and in the team always looks to prove them wrong,” said Venter. “I still believe there is a lot of emotion going into this game and a lot of guys knowing it could be their last game for the Cheetahs.”

Venter will be joining Worcester Warriors, Clayton Blommetjies and Uzair Cassiem will join their opponents tonight, the Scarlets, while prop Tom Botha will join Ospreys.

After the completion of the regular Pro14 season last weekend the teams who will compete to lift the trophy in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on May 26 were confirmed.

Conference A will be represented by Glasgow Warriors (1), Munster Rugby (2) and the Cheetahs (3).

Conference B will be represented by Leinster Rugby (1), Scarlets (2) and Edinburgh (3).

As conference winners, Glasgow Warriors and Leinster have advanced directly to the semifinals where they have earned home advantage.

The winner of Munster v Edinburgh will face Leinster, while the winner of Scarlets v Cheetahs will advance and take on Glasgow.

Kick-off: 7.35pm.