CHEETAHS ROAR
Bloem side chases Super Rugby Unlocked glory after PRO14 pain
Wounded after being jettisoned from the Guinness PRO14, the Cheetahs will come out firing when they face the Pumas in a Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked clash in Bloemfontein on Saturday (4.30pm).
The Free Staters will have a point to prove against the visitors from Nelspruit. They can expect a hostile reception from a Toyota Stadium crowd, who feel their team has been treated unfairly.
In Saturday’s other game in the Unlocked series, the Bulls are strong favourites to subdue underdogs Griquas at Loftus Versfeld (7pm).
Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie has been talking up the impact his experienced Springboks Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn will have on his team’s fortunes.
The 36-year-old Pienaar, who has 88 Bok caps, returned to the Cheetahs late last year after lengthy runs at Ulster and Montpellier. He also played 67 Super Rugby games for the Sharks before moving overseas in 2010.
“We could see Ruan’s impact already last year when he joined the team for the Currie Cup, ” Fourie said.
“He is a good leader and has a great rugby brain and, at his age, is still one of the fittest guys in the team.
“He is the guy who walks off the training pitch last and is also the last one out of the gym.
“He is as close as possible to what one can call the perfect rugby player and is a great inspiration to the team.
“Frans brings with him a wealth of experience, ” Fourie said.
“He is also a big guy and his size and bulk will hopefully be a factor in the midfield against some of the teams who also have big centres.
“Of course, it’s always an advantage to have players in your ranks who have experience of big games and situations, so we’re looking forward to having these guys in the side in the coming months.”
Fourie is also expecting big things from wing Rosko Specman, who has joined from the Bulls, and the experienced lock combination of Carl Wegner and Reniel Hugo.
Rosko played for the Blitzboks and he played Super Rugby for the Bulls, so he’s been around. He’s a great addition to our squad and has a big influence on those around him.
“And then Carl Wegner and Reniel Hugo have returned from Japan and they, too, will have a big role to play up front with all their experience. ”
The Bulls, under new coach Jake White, will be looking to get their campaign off to a winning start against an unfancied Griquas side.
It ’ s been months of preparation and weeks of training, with the players and management excited to get going,” Bulls director of rugby White said.
We have a mission. We’ve set high standards and now is the time for the Vodacom Bulls to stamp their authority on this competition,” he said.
The experience amongst our players allows us to implement our game plan quickly and with a solid foundation.
“I’m extremely excited for all the players making their debuts and looking forward to watching them grow.”
Griquas coach Scott Mathie knows his team are facing an uphill battle against their star-studded opponents.
“We had a good win there last year, albeit against a team with no Springboks in it, which is a big difference,” Mathie said.
“But we’ve been up there and performed well before, and are confident in our squad.
“This Griquas team is wired to compete and that’s what we’re about. It’s just great to pit your team against the best.”