The French Top 14 team thumped the Cheetahs 68-21 in a one-sided affair, which knocked the Bloemfontein-based team out of the competition.

For the first time since the Cheetahs started playing in the Challenge Cup, they failed to reach the knockout rounds, following two defeats, a win, and a draw.

Injuries to key players during their previous trip to Europe no doubt had a big impact on their last game; however, it did allow some players to experience playing against top international opponents from up north for the first time.

The mere fact that the Cheetahs had to play all of their games, including the two home matches in Europe, also makes it incredibly difficult to compete and is a definite disadvantage. All of the other South African teams playing in Europe get to play home matches on home soil.

Cheetahs captain Victor Sekekete told OFM Sport that inexperience was a major factor in their unsuccessful campaign, and going forward it is a matter of players gaining experience and also building on their confidence.

“Some things you can’t teach, they need experience,” said Sekekete.

Building confidence

“So I think that's where we have to focus – building confidence in some areas and, you know, just getting the players more game time in different scenarios.

“I know we had a lot of guys who played their first EPCR games and stuff like that, but that’s what it is. We have guys who are growing from here on, and, like you said, we can only get better.”

Coach Izak van der Westhuizen, in turn, conceded that they were outclassed in the competition this season but emphasised that there were valuable lessons to take away. For his young players, it was a good exercise in gaining experience against tough opposition.

“From a game management perspective, there’s definitely a lot to learn,” said Van der Westhuizen.

“I think we’re a little inexperienced in that area, but we’ve got young playmakers at the moment. If you look at the guys Lyon brought off the bench – it’s stacked with internationals – and we’ve got guys on the bench who played in the Varsity Cup last year.

“So, there’s still a lot of learning that needs to take place. This competition, unfortunately, is not necessarily the place for that, but this is what we’ve got.”

The next step for the Cheetahs is the SA Cup which is scheduled to kick-off in early March.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg