This despite having won all their games in the competition to date. In their last two outings against the Tafel Lager Griquas and Sharks XV they have proven that defence is not an issue but they want to close out games a lot better.

Following their 12-10 win over the Sharks, the coach Daan Human told OFM Sport that their system is falling into place slowly.

“The system is falling into place little by little, but there is a still a lot of hard work to be done.

“We do have a lot of young guys, but that is no excuse. We work hard during the week, and after this game, it looked to me like we can work even harder, so that is exactly what we will be doing.”

One thing that was impressive was the workload that the forwards put in against the Sharks. Especially the front-rowers did tremendous work with their ball-carries.

Human, a former Springbok and Toulon front-rower himself, feels that the conditioning also needs attention.

“You know those big guys just did well, but you’re talking about conditioning. From Monday onwards that is what we will be doing, and that is a promise.”

Meanwhile, three players left the park on Friday evening with rather serious injuries. Quinton Vorster lifted off with an ankle injury, while the winger Aya Oliphant sustained a bad knee injury.

The fullback, Darren Adonis, was carted off the park with what seemed to be a severe head injury.

Vorster is in a moonboot for the time being and will be re-assessed in two weeks’ time.

Oliphant will see the doctor again on Monday, but it appears that his ACL is torn and will require surgery. Adonis’ head injury is only minor and he is not expected to be out of action for too long.

The Free State host the Griffons on Friday evening in round six, with kick-off at the Toyota Stadium at 18:00.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport