Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ALTITUDE WARNING
Herbst says Ulster must be wary of heights and their wounded hosts in tonight’s tough African test
SOUTH African born Ulster prop Wiehahn Herbst is bracing himself for a backlash from a wounded Cheetahs in tonight’s Guinness Pro14 showdown in Bloemfontein.
While the Irish province has kicked off the season with three straight wins, the South African side are rooted to the bottom of Conference A with a solitary point.
Two heavy away defeats to Munster (0-38) and the Ospreys (14-46) preceded Saturday’s 52-24 hammering by the Glasgow Warriors in their own backyard.
Defence coach Jared Payne has warned of a “pretty nasty kickback” and Herbst is equally as wary, particularly in the high altitude of a city lying 1,400m above sea level.
He said: “The Cheetahs take pride in their home ground, so it will definitely be interesting – and at altitude, when they start throwing the ball around it will be a difficult one.
“It is a challenge any time coming here if you’re not used to altitude or that expansive rugby (the Cheetahs play) but we are well prepared, so hopefully we can do a job.”
While Herbst has relished being back on home soil – “it’s nice to see the African sun again and some proper meat” – he also values the bonding benefits of an overseas trip.
Academy players Angus Kernohan, who scored against the Southern Kings last Sunday, and prop Eric O’sullivan are both currently bedding into the senior set-up.
“We’ve had time to get to know each other in a different environment,” said Herbst. “Everyone is sitting around talking and learning from each other a bit more.”
Ulster coach Dan Mcfarland has made six changes to the team that beat the Kings 28-7 in Port Elizabeth, a result that saw them ease to the top of Conference B.
Teenage winger Kernohan and O’connor both start, while Herbst, Matthew Read, Dave Shanahan and Will Addison, who missed the Kings win through illness, also come in.
Influential scrum-half John Cooney misses out after suffering a nasty head wound against the Kings, with young scrum-half Jonny Stewart poised to make his first appearance of the season from the bench.