Season Preview: Toyota Cheetahs
by Brenden Nel 23 February 2012, 10:27
It is difficult not to root for the Toyota Cheetahs during the Super Rugby season, but this season coach Naka Drotske doesn’t want the sympathy vote, but rather to be a side that earns the support it gets.
Drotske is feeling very bullish this time of the season. Strangely so if you think his side was massacred pre-season by the Bulls in Polokwane.
But for the first time he believes his side has the depth to go the distance in the competition, and that makes him more than confident about his team’s chances.
It isn’t just that. Drotske has placed his faith in young Johan Goosen, the cannon boot who is tipped for big things in South African Rugby, and he knows he can kick points from inside his own half. That in itself is a big plus in a game where teams tend to give away points when under pressure.
Drotske takes it further. In a game where partnerships between competing unions are almost taboo, the Cheetahs have found some common ground with their neighbours Griquas, so much so that the contracting process has become a big boom for the franchise with both teams contributing equally to player stocks.
“We definitely have the best depth this year in the history of the franchise,” Drotske says, “We have at least two players in each position of Super Rugby quality and that is something we have never had before,” Drotske told SuperSport.com.
“We also didn’t lose too many frontline players over the past year. If you look at it, our biggest losses were Sarel Pretorius, Wilhelm Steenkamp and Riaan Viljoen, whereas in the past we have lost a whole number of players to other franchises.
“But adding to that, I’m very excited about the talent we have coming through. We have a number of youngsters who will be playing Super Rugby for the first time and they have a great future ahead of them.”
The Cheetahs may struggle in the long term this season, but Drotske is banking on a big start to give them the momentum they need to progress well in the competition. This starts with two big wins first up, which are non-negotiable, and then ensuring the franchise has its best away leg in its history.
The optimism can be understood, as the first matches against the Lions and Bulls are games that can be won in the South African conference. Their away leg includes the Rebels and Brumbies, both sides who have underperformed in the last year, while the Hurricanes have lost massive experience in their internal shake-up. The Cheetahs' biggest test on the tour comes in week three, as they face the Crusaders in Christchurch.
“I’m a guy who likes to go on tour early, and this year I am sure it will work to our advantage. Our first two games are very important to us, and we need to win both to go on tour with some momentum,” Drotske adds.
“Some of the teams that we play on tour are also in a rebuilding phase and last year we won one game on tour. This time around we want to change that and win more.”
Drotske may be a tad optimistic on the touring side, but every Super Rugby dream has to start somewhere. With a bit of luck here and there, and some good fortune in their derby games, the Cheetahs could well find that optimism can turn into some much-wanted success.
In a year where results are more important than ever, Drotske’s 'the cup is half full' approach may serve both him and the Cheetahs well this season.
Players in
George Earl (Lions)
Andries Ferreira (Blue Bulls)
Johan Goosen
Willie le Roux (Boland)
Piet van Zyl (Boland)
Players out
Skipper Badenhorst (retired)
Kabamba Floors
Jongi Nokwe (EP Kings)
Sarel Pretorius (Waratahs)
Wilhelm Steenkamp (Bulls)
Hendrik Roodt (Lions)
Louis Strydom (EP Kings)
Corne Uys (Newcastle, England)
Frans Viljoen
Riaan Viljoen (Sharks)
Coach
Naka Drotske
Assistant Coaches
Hawies Fourie
Os du Randt
Michael Horak
Manager
Eugene van Wyk
Fixtures
Feb 25 v Lions, Coca-Cola Park.
March 3 v Bulls, Free State Stadium
March 10 v Brumbies, Canberra
March 18 v Rebels, Melbourne
March 24 v Crusaders, Christchurch
March 31 v Hurricanes, Wellington
April 7 v Lions, Free State Stadium
April 14 v Chiefs, Free State Stadium
April 21 Bye
April 28 v Highlanders, Free State Stadium
May 5 v Force, Free State Stadium
May 12 v Stormers, Newlands
May 19 v Sharks, Free State Stadium
May 26 v Waratahs, Free State Stadium
Enforced three-week break
June 30 v Bulls, Loftus Versfeld
July 7 v Stormers, Free State Stadium
July 14 v Sharks, Mr Price Kings Park