Even though the Ford Pumas have not won a game thus far in the Absa Currie Cup, the Toyota Free State Cheetahs will not be taking this match in the Free State Stadium on Saturday afternoon lightly.
The Free Staters come off a defeat last weekend against the MTN Golden Lions in Johannesburg, but played very well a week before when they beat DHL Western Province in Bloemfontein.
“We didn’t play well against the Golden Lions, especially in the first half, and we need to improve. But it’s not going to be easy against the Pumas – they were unlucky to lose against the Blue Bulls, the Sharks and the Golden Lions,” said Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske.
“We would’ve liked to do some squad rotation, but we have too many injuries and can’t really afford to rest anyone, while the Pumas are very difficult opponents.”
After five near losses Jimmy Stonehouse, coach of the Ford Pumas, said: “It can’t carry on like this, that victory simply has to come. The spirit in the team is amazing and we’re keeping our heads up. We’ll just have to try again this weekend, even if we know it will be very difficult in Bloemfontein.
“The Cheetahs have a very mobile pack and will probably try to move us around a bit, but I think we can match them upfront.”
Stonehouse has had to appoint a new captain in JW Jonker after regular skipper Corné Steenkamp was ruled out with a knee injury. The Ford Pumas have also lost Marius Coetzer (hand) and Shaun Venter (concussion), two of their more experienced players.
Last year in Absa Currie Cup: 7 August – Toyota FS Cheetahs won 45-30 in Witbank and on 24 September – Toyota FS Cheetahs won 59-24 in Bloemfontein
This weekend’s rugby fixtures:
- 19 August – Vodacom Blue Bulls vs GWK Griquas, kick-off at 17:00 at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. Referee: Sindile Mayende
- 19 August – DHL Western Province vs MTN Golden Lions, kick-off at 19:00 at DHL Newlands, Cape Town. Referee: Marius Jonker
- 19 August – The Sharks vs Platinum Leopards, kick-off at 19:10 at Mr Price Kings Park, Durban. Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
- 19 August – Regent Boland Cavaliers vs SWD Eagles, kick-off at 16:00 at Boland Stadium, Wellington. Referee: Jaco Peyper
- 19 August – Valke vs Border Bulldogs, kick-off at 17:00 at Barnard Stadium, Kempton Park. Referee: Stuart Berry
- 20 August – Toyota Free State Cheetahs vs Ford Pumas, kick-off at 15:00 at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein. Referee: Pro Legoete
- 20 August – South Africa vs New Zealand, kick-off at 17:05 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth.
