Director of Rugby, Frans Steyn, expects a strong response from the Toyota Cheetahs when they tackle the Suzuki Griquas in Kimberley on Friday (30/8) in the Currie Cup.

The derby is expected to be a spicy affair as both teams are chasing a spot in the semifinals and it is a must-win game for both. This past weekend, the Cheetahs lost 38-21 to the Lions, while the Bulls beat the Griquas 47-24.

It’s the penultimate round of the Currie Cup before the semifinals and the top of the log is fairly congested as several teams are still in contention.

Schalk Ferreira. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Cheetahs will need to go weeks to sneak into the semifinals, albeit the Bulls and Lions will most likely be hosting them. Although the Cheetahs lost to the Lions, their second-half performance was certainly not shy of any effort, and the players were exhausted when they came off the park.

Steyn told OFM Sport they need to dust themselves off after the disappointing defeat to the Lions and tune in for the derby against the Peacock Blues.

“We’re going to the Griquas, and it’s going to be tough, but that’s rugby,” said Steyn. “I went to the coaches now, and it’s not nice there at the moment, but I said to them, ‘Listen, none of you missed a kick to lose a Super 14 final, there are worse things than this, and we need to get ourselves back on this horse.’

“Two weeks ago we played a brilliant game against Western Province. We’ve got it all, and we just need to put the pieces together.”

Friday’s derby at the Suzuki Stadium kicks off at 17:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek  c/mvh