This is my fourth preview of the up and coming 2011 Super 15 Season, as I now turn my attentions to the Cheetahs…
This Season
The Cheetahs had a hard fought 2010 campaign, the team from South Africa found themselves finishing in a lowly 11th place, with a posted points total of 26. The Cheetahs however are quite a bizarre side, a team which can play poor Rugby one week and battle for a win in the next. They finished the 2010 season in very promising ways, and they will be hoping for the opposite this time around, as they will look to get a good start, rather than a sloppy one.
The Cheetahs need to improve, but while playing on home turf they looked fairly suited and basically impressive against the fellow teams from South Africa, they will be hoping to get some early wins on the board which will stand them in good stead for a decent finish. Even though there squad isn’t the best, players like Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow and Riaan Vijoen are more than capable of turning a game on its head.
Key Players
The tighthead and loosehead prop pairing of Coenie Oosthuizen and WP Nel will be the key links for the Cheetahs this season, in the scrum both have the qualities of driving the pack forward, both players are also capable of going over that all important try line aswell. Oosthuizen is only 21 years old but he is fast emerging into a brilliant talent in the front 3, while WP Nel had a very good 2010 campaign with his name hitting the Super 14 team of the week on a number of occasions.
The back row will also be a vital part to the Cheetahs success, Brussow, Floors and captain Juan Smith are all highly profiled players who have played international rugby for South Africa in the past, but it will be Juan Smith who will drive the team forward on a number of occasions. One of the best blindside flankers in World Rugby, he has all the attributes of a quality rugby player. Considering the Cheetahs have lost both Lionel Mapoe and Bjorn Basson, Jongi Nokwe and Riaan Vijoen will be dangerous going forward with their pace and flair.
Overall Thoughts
It all depends on the first four games of the season for the Cheetahs, there so good on home soil, but there also very inconsistent; however if they give the Bulls in week two, and Stormers in week three a fight there is no reason why the Cheetahs can’t do better than last year. If the front three and the loose forwards hit form, then coach Naka Drotske’s nerves will just be that little bit calmer.
