Cheetahs bank on heavies
16 Mar 2010
Barend Pieterse believes the forwards battle will determine the outcome between the Stormers and Cheetahs on Saturday.
Pieterse, a former Cheetahs lock turned forwards coach, has experienced triumph and defeat in previous trips to Newlands. He played in the 31-25 victory against the Cape franchise in 2006 and the 34-22 loss two years later.
Pieterse believes the current Stormers side is even better than the one that beat them in the latter fixture.
‘Three years ago, everybody believed the Stormers could be a great side if they had a strong pack of forwards,’ Pieterse told keo.co.za. ‘Now that they have guys like Francois Louw, Pieter Louw, Tiaan Liebenberg, Schalk Burger and Duane Vermeulen, they have depth and talent and are achieving the winning results because of it.’
However, Pieterse believes they have the ability to counter the in-form Stormers forwards.
‘I think the match will be won in the forwards battle up front, but it all depends on who wants it more and we do have a pack to take them on,’ said Pieterse. ‘We have Juan Smith and Frans Viljoen, who are very physical and will get the team going, while Hendro Scholtz and Kabamba Floors will also play big roles.’
Loosehead prop Wian du Preez stressed that they need to continue to progress their front row play.
‘We [the front row] didn’t start the season as we wanted to but we are picking up,’ Du Preez also told this website.
‘In the last couple games we have improved so there is an upward curve in our progress, so we are looking to add on to that with a good performance against the Stormers. Our work-rate at the rucks and tackles will also be vital.’
Pieterse said the Cheetahs’ backline is capable of holding its own against their Stormers counterparts who boast Springboks Jaque Fourie and Bryan Habana.
‘Fourie isn’t playing the greatest rugby at the moment and our guys like Meyer Bosman and Robert Ebersohn had a great performance in our win against the Hurricanes,’ said Pieterse.
When asked about Heinrich Brüssow’s replacement, Pieterse believes Scholtz is a capable replacement.
‘It’s going to be a physical game, so we will start Hendro and have Kabamba come off the bench,’ said Pieterse. ‘In the backline, Corné Uys has recovered from his injury but I think Robert will start. I don’t think [head coach] Naka Drotske will want to change a winning formula.’
Cheetahs (probable) – 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Meyer Bosman, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Frans Viljoen, 7 Juan Smith (c), 6 Hendro Scholtz, 5 Waltie Vermeulen, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
By Gareth Duncan
29 Comments
16 Mar 2010, 09:07 am
going to be a cracker of a game ! go cheetahs !
16 Mar 2010, 09:11 am
The cheetahs have hardly ever beaten the Stormers in Super rugby …
We have their number in this competition
16 Mar 2010, 09:30 am
Really? 3-1 isn’t that big a cushion to rely on. Sorry, but I doubt the Stormers have the resolve to win this one. Last 2 weeks the Stormers fed off teams that were physically drained after the Cheetah games, (and the Bulls even luckier than that.)
This weekend the Stormers WILL lose.
Go Cheetahs!
16 Mar 2010, 09:35 am
Fourie isn’t playing the greatest rugby?
I guess he didn’t watch the Stormers game against the Hurricanes?
An even more motivated Jacques Fourie – not something the Cheetahs should look to cultivate.
And are they running out against the Stormers without a scrumhalf?
According to Gareth Duncan they are.
16 Mar 2010, 09:43 am
C’mon cheetahs , make my Superbru work !
16 Mar 2010, 09:51 am
@SamM: C’mon Stormers,make my superbru work
16 Mar 2010, 09:57 am
@Storm outta hell: ahahahaha We’ll chat again next Monday . . . .Any news on De Jongh’s injury ?
16 Mar 2010, 10:02 am
@SamM: As far as I know he’ll be available for selection…what d’ya think about starting with Ebehrsohn ahead of Uys..?
16 Mar 2010, 10:04 am
Some will say that Kabamba Floors deserves a start?
I’d say so ahead of someone who hasnt been in the squad…
16 Mar 2010, 10:08 am
I would start with Ebersohn – although he is smaller he tackles better than Uys and a better distributor. Also Uys has been out for a while and Ebersohn wasn’t too bad against the Hurricanes . Either way Fourie is the best outside centre in world rugby- not going to be easy . The tight5 holds the key for the cheetahs . losies is even and stormers has got the better backline . Pietersen, Habana, Kakinjoubroeki vs Danhiller Nokwe Mapoe . . . all depends on good ball and space . Pietersen having a great season so far
16 Mar 2010, 10:09 am
@WP_: Yah…he’s done his bit,but I think the Stormer pack has the Cheetahs more than a little worried.
16 Mar 2010, 10:10 am
@WP_: Scholtz is past his sellby date and can’t hold on to the ball . He can hold on to yellow cards though . I’ll start with Johnson and bring Kabamba on with 25min to go
16 Mar 2010, 10:11 am
@SamM: Where is Johnson? Vodacom Cup? Viljoen has been playing well though…
@Storm outta hell: And so it should
16 Mar 2010, 10:12 am
@SamM: Agreed,Ebersohn had a very good game against the ‘Canes and more than held his own in the tackles.
16 Mar 2010, 10:14 am
@WP_: He was actually the best fetcher in SA rugby at one point.
I heard it was discipline problems that have hampered his career for the last few years?
16 Mar 2010, 10:16 am
@DonutDunning: He was about 4 years ago. Ya I think he’s had his issues…
Only really seen as an impact player these days which seems quite sad. I’d love to see what he could achieve playing the full 80…
16 Mar 2010, 10:23 am
@WP_: He sure makes an impact when he comes on…
16 Mar 2010, 11:56 am
I will rather start with Viljoen at 15.
More solid AND could give you that very important 3 points when it is needed from his own half.
16 Mar 2010, 12:44 pm
Ebehrson is ten times better than Uys. Can’t really see why Uys is prefered…
I would like to see Kabamba playing 80 minutes as well. Only thing is that when he had his chance as the starter, he dissapeared. Don’t know why. Could be that he gets riled up watching the game, because truelly he is a fantastic impact player when comes on.
Personally I’d take him before Scholtz, but Naka seems to have different ideas. But Scholtz isn’t a good impact player off the bench. Don’t know why either. Naka claims it is better to have a ball-carrying loosie at this stage than a fetcher.
Urgh… kinda wish Johan Wessels was still available and not on loan to the Sharks.
16 Mar 2010, 13:35 pm
Barend pieterse will play against the stormers
16 Mar 2010, 13:35 pm
Going to be a brilliant game to watch – made sure I got my tickets long ago!
Well matched, but I think the Cheetahs do potentially have a few soft spots that Stormers should be able to exploit and get the win – if the bounce of the ball is not totally against them.
Things like Hendro Scholtz not used to new laws and will be off the pace in first game back, lineouts, kicking of their wings, etc. might just be the little chinks in the armour that should see the Stormers through.
16 Mar 2010, 13:41 pm
GOOOOOOOOOOOO CHEETAHSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
16 Mar 2010, 13:48 pm
My heart says Cheetahs but my head says Stormers. As for Floors, since the beginning of time he has been an impact player. Just the way it goes for this guy
16 Mar 2010, 14:17 pm
-Floors should always start ahead of Scholtz,everyday of the week and some.What that guy did in 2006 CC AS A STARTER was beyond amazing.Shouldve been entrusted with gametime.But hey it Free State
-Cheetahs weak point is front on defense especially in the backs as well as lack of powerful ball carriers in midfield as well as forwards.Only Smith is world class carrier in team at present,they struggle for momentum/phase play because their fatties are useless with ball in hand(note:WP Nel,Wian,Both Locks).Viljoen has his moments/decent loosie(could be a great 4 lock IMHO-much like Pieterse was when he switched)
-Cheetahs best hope of winning this game is to punch up well in midfield with fwds,creating momentum,suck in defenders in pick and drive-ferocity at breakdown then MOST IMPORTANTLY: GET BALL OUT TO NOKWE & MAPOE.Those 2 are the most potent wingers in competition when given adequate ball
16 Mar 2010, 15:26 pm
Damm, still gonna be a tough game any way you look at it. Stormers have the more compltete package but them meilie farmers dont know when to quit
16 Mar 2010, 15:57 pm
how come Ashley Johnson isnt getting a look in anymore?
he made quite an impact in currie cup now cant even make match 22?
16 Mar 2010, 15:59 pm
Ebehrson is 20 times the player Uys could only hope to be and he’s still so young
that boy is going places, if he can stay injury free
16 Mar 2010, 16:01 pm
i dont know y the cheetahs like to do this…they’re the only team i know who give the opposition more motivation before a game by talking abt them negatively
“Fourie isnt playing the greatest rugby at the moment”
i mean who says stuff like tht before a game
who do they think they are
they’re lying 9th currently
better than wooden spoon but they spew so much disrespect
16 Mar 2010, 16:05 pm
match up of the 2 front rows is going to be interesting.
stormers shouldn’t be too complacent – they have the stars but cheetahs are playing with more self belief now.
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