Bok-hopeful Willie ready to tackle Bulls

CHEETAHS backline sensation Willie le Roux is confident that he will be ready for Saturday’s crucial Super Rugby clash against the high-flying Bulls at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Coach Naka Drotske included Le Roux in his starting XV yesterday, and the winger said that he was on the mend and is confident that his hamstring won’t hamper him when the central region outfit take to the field for arguably their most important outing to date.

With nine victories in 12 outings this season, the Bulls remain the favourites to clinch the SA Conference title teams and have all but secured their spot in the playoffs, but the Cheetahs simply cannot be written off.

This season has seen a major turnaround for the Cheetahs and they find themselves in an unprecedented fourth place on the combined log with an impressive nine wins from their 13 outings.

A win on Saturday would put the Cheetahs in a position where they could snatch the conference title, and with the announcement of the Springbok side set for Saturday evening, Le Roux and a number of others will have added incentive to impress.

While Le Roux was unable to take part in any physical activity at Bok training camp in Durban earlier this week due to his injury, he described the experience as a wonderful opportunity and added that he certainly had his fingers crossed in the hopes of having his name included in the squad to face Italy in Durban next weekend.

“The hamstring is feeling fine and I’m pretty sure that I’ll be ready by Saturday,” Le Roux told the DFA yesterday. “It’s always tough to take on one of the South African teams at home and I think we are going to have our work cut out for us against the Bulls. They’ve won six or seven on the trot and have plenty of momentum at the moment.

“What will be key for us if we want to make the play-offs is to make sure that we are consistent and at our best week after week. So far we have done this fairly well and I just hope we can carry it forward into our last two outings, away to the Stormers and home to the Blues.”

These fixtures will only take place after the international break but Le Roux is hoping that he will be in action over the next three weeks ... with the Boks.

“It was really sad for me not to be able to be involved in the field sessions in Durban but overall it was an incredible experience for me to be among some of the best players in the world and studying the tactical side of the game.

“Obviously I would love to be included in the side to take on Italy next week. Playing for the Springboks has always been my goal and is definitely the dream of any South African rugby player,” said Le Roux