The Toyota Cheetahs expect a massive battle upfront especially in the scrum when they face the Lions in Bloemfontein on Saturday in the Currie Cup.

The Lions are renowned for having one of the best scrums in South Africa and under the guidance of the former Springbok Julian Redelinghuys as the scrum coach they are thriving.

In the past couple of weeks, the Cheetahs’ replacement front-row Cameron Dawson, Vernon Paulo, and Rob Hunt, have made a massive impact.

The seasoned Cheetahs loosehead, Schalk Ferreira, told OFM Sport they will have to graft hard for forward dominance. “It’s going to be a catfight,” said the 40-year-old loosehead prop.

“If there are going to be cracks, it’s not going to come easy. I think we’re going to have to remain patient. I feel that the referees are sensitive, so we have to be patient with our shape and stuff like that, and we can’t force penalties.

“If there are going to be cracks, it’s only going to come later in the game.

The seasoned campaigner, Ferreira, added regarding the replacements on the bench, they have taken a leave out of the Springboks book, and the young front-row is doing a tremendous job with their impact.

Cheetahs scrum with Cameron Dawson, Vernon Paulo, and Rob Hunt. Photo: Morgan Piek

“I think in South Africa in general, we don’t see a scrum as a setpiece just to get the ball out. It’s a point of attack for us, just like in the rest of South Africa. I think the impact that Daan Human has had in South Africa is one in which we don’t just go through the motions. 

“Like with the ‘bomb squad’ we don’t pick players on the bench because they’re second best. They’re there for impact and I think that combination with Vernon, Cameron, and Rob works really well.”

Saturday’s game at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 17:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg