The Cheetahs and Sharks will be involved in a season defying Super Rugby battle in Bloemfontein on Saturday with the visitors looking to keep their play-off aspirations alive.
Kick-off is at 5.05pm.
The far more relaxed Free State squad will, however, be just as desperate to bag the win that will see them beat their record of five victories in a season.
While injuries have caused devastation to Cheetah aspirations, the up-shot has been the superb form from players like eighthman Ashley Johnson, fullback/wing Riaan Viljoen and prop Coenie Oosthuizen.
Another positive is the halfback pairing of Sarel Pretorius and young Sias Ebersohn.
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske was pleasantly surprised by a number of men in his squad.
“At some point I doubted his form in Super Rugby, but Ashley is playing one of the best seasons of his life and has shown that he can play at this level,” said Drotske who is very proud of what his men have accomplished — despite several crucial injuries — since returning from their tour.
‘A lot more to play for’
The Cheetahs suffered another setback in their loose-forward department last week when Kabamba Floors picked up a knee ligament injury against the Bulls.
In all fairness, the Sharks would still have arrived in Bloemfontein as favourites even if Drotske had a full compliment of players.
Since suffering devastating losses to the Cheetahs in their 2009 and 2010 campaigns, the Sharks have increased their depth in most positions and, when playing to their full potential, they are the toughest of the South African team’s to beat.
Coach John Plumtree noted this week that his men just have to play their natural game to come out on top.
“In terms of what needs to be done, it’s a case of the players going out there and executing and making sure we don’t go into our shells,” said Plumtree.
“We have a lot more to play for than them, so we have to make sure we go out there with more hunger and intent.”
In previous seasons one of the only things the Sharks and Cheetahs had in common in the Super Rugby competition is that most players would have a family dinner after completing the match.
The Sharks often failed to turn-up to those matches and allowed the big Free State forwards to dominate.
‘No doubt about it’
Plumtree warned that his men are in for another tough physical encounter.
“There is absolutely no doubt about it, the game against the Cheetahs on the weekend is probably going to be 25% more physical than the game we’ve just played against the Waratahs,” he said.
The Sharks will be without suspended flank Jean Deysel and have drafted Currie Cup winning flyhalf Frederic Michalak as back-up for scrumhalf Charl McLeod.
Meanwhile the Lions were forced to make a late change to their side that will take on the Hurricanes in Wellington at 7.30am on Saturday.
Openside flank Cobus Grobbelaar had to return because of a family bereavement forcing coach John Mitchell to reshuffle his loose-trio.
With Grobbelaar on his way back, Derick Minnie will be guarding the open side with Josh Strauss moving from the back to the side of the scrum.
This opens up space for Warren Whitley who will slot in at Strauss’ eighthman position.
Jaco Kriel has been flown in as back-up on the bench.
Should the Lions manage to secure the win against the struggling New Zealand side, they will equal the number of wins (three) South African teams have enjoyed in Australasia.
The real question, however, is whether their forwards will be able to repeat the intensity they showed against the Highlanders last week. — Sapa