Smith and well as Andell Loubser arrived in France this morning as injury replacements heading into the crucial game against the French Top14 team. The pair replaced Michael Annies and Ethan Wentzel who sustained injuries during Sunday’s important 22-18 win against Zebre in Amsterdam. Smith, who previously played for Zebre, told OFM Sport that he is excited about the opportunity.

“It is exciting! It’s going to be a big game in Lyon with some potentially big names in their line-up, so we’re very excited about that. Very grateful also for the opportunity for me personally, especially coming back from my wrist injury, being able to come back and play against a team like Lyon,” he said.

For the Cheetahs it will be important to secure as many points as possible from this game in order to reach the knockout rounds for a third straight year.  Cheetahs assistant coach, Charl Strydom, told OFM Sport that it’s important to limit their mistakes.

“It was frozen underfoot, so it really made stepping difficult, as well as ball-stealing and everything that you need grip for. Defense was really tough to go hard off the line, hence all the errors in the game – a bit of a stop/start affair. But yes, for once the bounce of the ball went our way and we managed to stay in the game until the end and sinking it,” he said.

 Saturday night’s match between Lyon and the Cheetahs at Stade de Gerland kicks off at 19:30.

OFM Sport