The Toyota Cheetahs are quietly confident heading into their big Currie Cup semi-final against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The Cheetahs are the defending champions, but their season hasn’t entirely gone according to plan and it required a solid performance last week and a little luck to continue their title defence. The game on Saturday in Mbombela was a big turnaround for the Cheetahs and they may have peaked at exactly the right time. The Lions have been consistent throughout the tournament and are strong favourites to book a home final.

Jeandré Rudolph. Photo: Morgan Piek

The fiery Cheetahs hooker, Vernon Paulo, told OFM Sport it’s a clean slate on the weekend. “We knew this past weekend was going to be very important for us to get that confidence back again,” said Paulo.

“But like we said things that happened previously in the season now it doesn’t matter at all for this upcoming game this weekend. Both teams are on equal grounds and the Lions are definitely under more pressure with it being on the home soil and having a near unbeaten season for the year.

“We can just go out and play our game, we know what to bring to the table. For us, the main thing is just to go out and give everything we have. We as a team definitely know what we want out of the season.”

The player referred to as War Dog by his teammates added having the senior players in the team such as the captain, Victor Sekekete, and Jeandré Rudolph was important against the Pumas, and that experience would set them up for this week as well.

“I think especially after this past weekend, having those seniors play like Jeandré Rudolph, Victor Sekekete, Hencus van Wyk, and Schalk Ferreira and the other big guys – they have played quite a lot of games in their careers and they have played knockout rugby. That experience is exactly what they brought to the table last week.”

Schalk Ferreira. Photo: Morgan Piek

“They highlighted to us what we actually needed and what we lacked. They told us what we have to focus on, and what the only things are that will be important for this weekend. Against the Pumas last weekend, I think that's what really helped us to become a successful team on the field,” he said.

“That was vital because we’re carrying stuff over now to this week. There’s certain stuff that worked for us. Everyone is excited – it’s going to be a massive game and yeah we’re really looking forward to this upcoming weekend.”

Saturday’s semi-final at Ellis Park kicks off at 14:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg