The Toyota Cheetahs’ captain Victor Sekekete has called on a better performance from his team when they face the Griffons in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

The Free State derby forms a part of the Toyota Challenge, which, in turn, is being used to prepare for their third EPCR Challenge Cup campaign.

On Wednesday, the Cheetahs let themselves down during the 38-24 defeat to the Western Force. Better finishing and decision-making would have made the game a lot closer or even a win for the hosts.

The Cheetahs will name a very different team for the match against their provincial rivals, but this match will also be an opportunity for these players to stake a claim at playing in next week’s game against Emerging Ireland.

Sekekete told OFM Sport that they convert chances into points. “I think this is a tough pill to swallow because once again, we can only look at ourselves,” said Sekekete who has played in the United Rugby Championship for the Ospreys in Wales.

‘We didn’t do what we were supposed to do’

“Because we didn’t do what we were supposed to do 100%. And, yes, the effort was there now and again with some brilliant moments. But once you’re in Europe, it’s all about those moments. If you don’t take those moments, you are going to lose the game.

“So, I think the learning from our side is that we need to finish. That’s what we need to learn and we need to learn it very quickly.

The Cheetahs did field a very young and inexperienced backline against the Force, and it was great to see them being thrown into the deep end. This was to build experience and learn from the pressure moments.

Michael Annies. Photo: Morgan Piek

The coach, Izak van der Westhuizen, told OFM Sport that the talent is there, but it’s about putting it all together and applying the lessons learnt.

“I think, as you said, it’s a very, very young back line and I do think it’s exciting players,” said Van der Westhuizen.

“I think there were times in the game that they really showed it, but a little bit of inexperience, again … playing in the wrong areas at the wrong times, that's the things that we need to learn now.

‘I do think there’s quality there’

“Going forward and going into Europe, those are the types of mistakes you don’t want to make, so hopefully they learn quickly from it, but still a very, very young side, but I do think there’s quality there.”

Sunday’s game at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 15:45.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg