On Sunday, the former champions, Scarlets, blew the Cheetahs away in the opening 20 minutes with 28 unanswered points.

Although the Cheetahs lost the match 43-21, points-wise they were the better team in the remaining sixty minutes.

Speaking to OFM Sport from Dublin, the coach Franco Smith says they were a lot better when they settled into the game.

“The first 20 minutes we made too many mistakes that will be punished in this part of the world. The real quality sides will make you pay dearly for that.

“Once we found our feet we were much better. In the second half, we conceded two turnover tries with one being an intercept and the second one was because we kicked the ball into them.

“We did fight back, and I don’t think we were beaten. It was more a case of us making too many errors.

“We are trying to be positive going into this week with our sights set on Friday’s game.”

Meanwhile, the Cheetahs fullback, Tapiwe Mafura, has finally departed to join the team in Ireland. Due to visa issues, Mafura was unable to fly out with the team on tour, and hence he missed the first two games against Connacht and Scarlets.

Mafura was originally meant to start in the match against the Connacht in Galway, due to an injury to Malcolm Jaer. It will remain to be seen if the specialist in the number 15 jersey will get game time at the expense of Louis Fouché who is a flyhalf.

Smith will be announcing his side for the clash at 14:00 on Thursday afternoon.

Friday evening’s game between the Irish giants and the Cheetahs at the RDS Arena kicks off at 21:35.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport