Cheetahs have belief – Juan
WRITER HE CRUCIAL ingredient that has been missing in the Cheetahs team in past seasons and which has been discovered in 2013 is self-belief, according to former captain Juan Smith.
The World Cup-winning flank spoke frankly yesterday about the Cheetahs’ season so far, highlighting the fact that the players now believe in themselves more than before and this is why Naka Drotske’s team have been able to move up to fourth in the points table, a position they’ve never been in before.
“The thing that stands out for me is the self-belief of the players. The Cheetahs have always had good individuals and they’ve always given it their best, but for whatever reason the self-belief just wasn’t always there. But it’s there now,” said Smith, who was forced to retire from rugby at the beginning of the season because of an Achilles injury.
“Who would have thought the Cheetahs would go overseas and win three times? That did a lot for their confidence and belief and they’ve grown as a team since that tour.”
Smith also pointed out the emergence of a number of young stars, such as Trevor Nyakane, Lodewyk de Jager, Lappies Labuschagne, Piet van Zyl and a few more, who have boosted the depth and skills levels of the team. “I don’t want to single out any individuals, though. The Cheetahs have played well as a unit; the pack is strong and formidable, while the backs are exciting going forward and sound in defence.”
Saturday’s match with the Bulls in Bloemfontein has been billed as a mini final, for whoever comes out on top will have the inside track to the conference title when Super Rugby resumes after the international break.
“It’s always a big physical battle against the Bulls, so the guys will know what’s coming,” said Smith. “But if there’s one week where I truly believe the Cheetahs will get one over the Bulls it’s this week. They’re playing winning rugby and, as I’ve said, the belief is there.”
There is no doubt in Smith’s mind the key to victory will come down to the team that is most disciplined. “You know when you’re up against the Bulls that you can’t afford to give away penalties in your own half. Morné Steyn will kick them all over and you then have to play catch-up. So being very disciplined will be crucial, but it’ll be the
Tsame for them. The Bulls will be in the same boat; indiscipline and giving away penalties will cost them.”
Also, said Smith, the team that makes the most of the chances that come their way will have the advantage. “Possession is generally split 50/50 so when you have the ball you’ve got to make sure you do something with it.”
Drotske has made just one change to his starting team for the match, recalling wing Raymond Rhule to the starting XV in place of Ryno Benjamin, who started against the Kings last weekend.
“Raymond needed to work on his defence and I feel he did some good things against the Kings when he came on in the second half so he gets another chance,” said Drotske.
In further good news for the Cheetahs, who are chasing their first win in 11 matches against the Bulls in Super Rugby, wing Willie le Roux (hamstring) and prop Coenie Oosthuizen (shoulder) have been declared fit to play on Saturday. Both men picked up injuries last Saturday and didn’t train with the Springboks at a camp in Durban earlier this week, but were yesterday named in the team to face the Bulls.
• Meanwhile, Bulls coach Frans Ludeke has made four changes to his side for Saturday’s match.
Arno Botha, Jan Serfontein, Werner Kruger and Lionel Mapoe have all been included in the starting XV after they spent time on the bench last weekend.
They replace Dewald Potgieter, Wynand Olivier, Frik Kirsten and Akona Ndungane respectively.
The Bulls have also been buoyed by the return of Zane Kirchner from injury and he will play off the bench.
TEAMS CHEETAHS (15-1): Hennie Daniller, Raymond Rhule, Johan Sadie, Robert Ebersohn, Willie Le Roux, Elgar Watts, Piet van Zyl, Philip van der Walt, Lappies Labuschagne, Heinrich Brussouw, Francois Uys, Lood de Jager, Lourens Adriaanse, Adriaan Strauss (c), Coenie Oosthuizen. Bench: Ryno Barnes, Trevor Nyakane, Rynard Landman, Boom Prinsloo, Sarel Pretorius, Riaan Smit, Ryno Benjamin. BULLS (15-1): Jurgen Visser, Lionel Mapoe, JJ Engelbrecht, Jan Serfontein, Bjorn Basson, Morné Steyn, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies (c), Arno Botha, Deon Stegmann, Juandré Kruger, Flip van der Merwe, Werner Kruger, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Dean Greyling. Bench: Callie Visagie, Frik Kirsten, Grant Hattingh, Dewald Potgieter, Jano Vermaak, Louis Fouché, Zane Kirchner.