The Cheetahs started with their third week of their pre-season this morning before enjoying a bit of a break again next week.

Smith, told OFM Sport that for is to develop the aspects of their game where they lacked last season. He stressed the importance of getting it right now before they start their Currie Cup campaign in July.

“Firstly we want to up the intensity at which we play, and you can only really work on that when you have a bit of time and there is not such a big risk of injuries.

“Our physical approach regarding the set-piece, at scrum-time, stopping of malls, and in the defensive effort is important.

“We always want to try and improve and now there is an opportunity to better the skill-sets.

“In season is difficult because you have three or four training sessions to get the guys ready for the next game. Now we can train the intensity and maybe try one of two next things and improve the current skills.

“For me, the biggest thing is to identify where we lack, and what we can improve on and having the time to remedy that.”

The former Springbok pivot and assistant coach also indicated that several of the players who played for the Free State XV in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge will be included in his current squad and they can also earn the right to play in the Currie Cup and the Guinness Pro14.

With ten tries in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge, Jamba Ulengo is at the top of the try-scoring charts, however, it has come to OFM Sports’ attention that he is back on the Southern Kings radar, and he has also caught the eye of the Lions.

“There are a lot of players and I think that they were very well coached. The effort of the whole group was excellent,” said Smith.

“There are a lot of guys who put their hands up, and they showed that they want to play for the Free State. That is exactly what we want from them.

“It is going to be good to have some of them joining the pre-season, but obviously it is going to be about man management as well.

“They have been training and playing for a long time, and we have a break next week. If I can add to their recovery and reset period I will do that. They will be treated individually.”

Free State face the Blue Bulls on 19 July at Loftus Versfeld in their opening match of the Currie Cup.

 @MorganPiek OFM Sport