While the ultimate goal for last year’s Currie Cup semi-finalists is to secure a spot in the last four of the competition, they are well on their way to achieving this, and a win this weekend might just be enough. 

Reaching the semi-finals is crucial as it will also ensure qualification for the Currie Cup Premier Division– and this is non-negotiable. The Cheetahs remained in third place on the log this past weekend following their dominant 59-17 victory against the Valke in Bloemfontein. The job is almost done. However, there is still pressure from the Boland Cavaliers and the Griffons, who are both breathing down their necks, although they still have to face the log-leading Pumas.

George Lourens and Prince Nkabinde - Morgan Piek.

Cheetahs captain and Namibian international hooker, Chucky van der Westhuizen, who scored one of the team's nine tries against the Valke, told OFM Sport that one of the most pleasing aspects of the team’s recent performances is their ability to stay composed in tight situations, without panicking. “Yes, it’s something we’ve been working on because it felt like when we made one mistake, we’d make two or three in a row,” said Van der Westhuizen.

“For us, it was about turning a negative into a positive as quickly as possible, and I think that became our focus – to get a quick positive result after a mistake or setback. It's something we’ve been working on and focusing on in training as well.” The three-time Rugby World Cup representative added that the team cohesion in recent matches has also been very pleasing and reflects a team growing more experienced and fighting for one another. 

“Yeah, it’s exciting, because the forwards have actually said, ‘We’re backing the backs– they have to do their thing, and if it goes well, we’re there; if it doesn’t go well, we’re still there.’So, it’s important for us as forwards to see the backs working hard on the field, and they did – they produced today. It was quite exciting to see the backs score first-phase tries and good turnover tries as well.”

Jandré 'Smiley' Nel and Daniel Maartens - Morgan Piek.

The Cheetahs have one foot in the semi-finals, but they will be aiming to secure a maximum of 10 points in their next two games against the Border Bulldogs and Suzuki Griquas. Saturday’s match between the Cheetahs and the Bulldogs at the Toyota Stadium will kick off at 15:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport lh