CHEETAHS 2010
Tue, 30 Jan 2007 07:30
CHEETAHS 2010
Eugene van Wyk, former Bulls coach and now Cheetahs manager, says the Cheetahs should not be aiming merely at being competitive but need to believe they can win the Super 14. His view is that they should be focusing on more than just making the play-offs or, for example, doing better than the Lions - they should focus, he says, on winning the tournament.
How realistic a goal is this?
Last year the Cheetahs finished bottom of the log, winning only two games and scoring 128 points fewer than they conceded. In 2008 they won only one game, conceding 173 more points than they had scored.
Since the Super 12 grew into the Super 14 in 2006, they've ended 10th, 11th, second last and last.
The Cheetahs have a good domestic record but they have battled in the Super 14. They do not have the big budget of the other South African franchises and losing talented players to more lucrative contacts, which depletes the Cheetahs player pool, is an ongoing problem.
In terms of player depth, the Cheetahs are the weakest of the South African Super 14 teams and coach Naka Drotské has to rely on innovation and enterprise - along with making the absolute most of all talent at his disposal - to remain competitive.
A goal of winning the Super 14 seems unrealistic.
Strengths: The Cheetahs have an abundance of youthful talent and they seem somehow to find and nurture backs of skill and flair year after year. In captain Juan Smith they have one of the world's most outstanding loose-forwards - his class and experience as player and flank is a major asset - and in Heinrich Brüssow one of the most feared 'fetchers' playing today. Their front row caused havoc in the 2009 Currie Cup and could create problems for some of their opponents' packs.
Weakness: They have a more limited budget than that at the disposal of rivals, which leads to a loss of players, which leads to a lack of depth in player resources.
Noteworthy signing: Skipper Badenhorst (hooker) has transferred from the Sharks until the end of 2011.
Noteworthy losses: Richardt Strauss (hooker) to Leinster (Ireland). Fly half Jacques-Louis Potgieter and prop Bees Roux to the Bulls.
Coach: Former Springbok hooker and Free State Currie Cup-winning captain Naka Drotské does not have the luxury enjoyed by some of his rival coaches of going out and buying top players to fill gaps in his line-up. He has to make do with fewer resources but is a remarkably resourceful and resilient coach. Assistant coach Hawies Fourie adds value to the acumen of the coaching team.
Captain: Juan Smith is a veteran of 69 Super matches for the Cats and Cheetahs and has 62 Test caps for the Springboks. The 28-year old is regarded as one of the most effective loose forwards in the world, especially subsequent to his stellar performances in the 2007 World Cup. He is an intelligent and inspirational captain.
Potential bolters: The 20-year old Ebersohn twins, Robert (centre) and Sias (fly half), are both graduates of Grey College, Free State Craven Week and SA U20. Robert has also played for SA Schools and SA Sevens. Both are skilful and elusive and can read the game - they offer wonderful flair, and this could be the year they move from being junior stars to exciting performers on the big stage of Super 14.
2009 Position: 14th
Best finish: 10th (2006 - debut year) - and, as Free State, seventh in the 1997 Super 12
Worst finish: 14th (2009)
Home Venue: Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein (capacity 40,000)
Prospects for 2010: Given their exemplary keenness and enthusiasm and determination, the Cheetahs deserve to do better, but while they may well trouble some of the leading teams and score a couple of surprise wins, they are unlikely to be in the frame come play-off time - or even end in the top half of the log.
Cheetahs squad (provisional):
Backs:
Hennie Daniller, Riaan Viljoen, Danwel Demas, Bjorn Basson, JW Jonker, Robert Ebersohn, Philip Snyman, Wilmaure Louw, Meyer Bosman, Corné Uys, Barry Geel, Naas Olivier, Louis Strydom, Sias Ebersohn, Jongi Nokwe, Lionel Mapoe, Rocco Jansen, Tewis de Bruyn, Sarel Pretorius.
Forwards:
Kabamba Floors, Frans Viljoen, Ashley Johnson, Francois Uys, Davon Raubenheimer, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brüssow, Hendro Scholtz, Frans Viljoen, Wesley Wilkens, David de Villiers, Jacques Lombard, Izak van der Westhuizen, Nico Breedt, Rudi Mathee, Waltie Vermeulen, Kobus Calldo, Ruaan du Preez, WP Nel, Hans Grobler, Ryno Barnes, Adriaan Strauss, Albertus Buckle, Coenie Oosthuizen, Wian du Preez.
Update: The Cheetahs have not announced a
Super 14 squad but their selection for their Round One fixture gives an indication of Naka Drotské's thinking:
15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Corné Uys, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Juan Smith (captain), 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Frans Viljoen, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Danwel Demas.
Schedule:
Friday 12 February: v Bulls, home
Friday 19 February: v Sharks, away
Saturday 27 February: v Highlanders, home
Saturday 6 March: v Hurricanes, home
Saturday 20 March: v Stormers, away
Friday 26 March: v Reds, home
Saturday 3 April: v Waratahs, away
Saturday 10 April: v Brumbies, away
Saturday 17 April: v Crusaders, away
Friday 23 April: v Chiefs,
away
Saturday 1 May: v Blues, home
Saturday 8 May: v Western Force, home
Saturday 15 May: v Lions, home
By Len Kaplan
