Cheetahs focus is on the endgame

ALTHOUGH there is cause to mark the occasion with the bang, the Cheetahs reaching the Currie Cup final 40 years after they won the coveted trophy the first time, has met a muted response in Bloemfontein.

They won’t be seen parking the party bus just yet.

The Cheetahs clash with the Blue Bulls in Satu final but perhaps befitting his title defence coach Charl Strydom explained the current crop have to be on the guard this week. “It’s not something that we’ve talked about at all. The older guys held a function to commemorate it a while back but the players haven’t been involved. Our focus has to be on winning the final.”

What can be celebrated however is the uninhibited, carefree playing style the current crop inherited from the pioneers of ‘76. These days it’s backed up by rock solid defence.

“If you look at the way we played in the semis it was the same way the Lions played in Super Rugby,” reminded Strydom.

“They had confidence and they were happy to keep the ball in hand. In Super Rugby we averaged 200 tackles a game. It’s about retaining possession and making those passes stick. If you don’t have confidence you are not going to make those offloads.

“As far as our defence is concerned we haven’t changed much this year. Our line speed is a lot better but that still isn’t something that comes to the guys naturally.”