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Cheetahs receive welcome Wiese boost ahead of PRO14 derby

───   MORGAN PIEK 13:19 Mon, 27 Jan 2020

Cheetahs receive welcome Wiese boost ahead of PRO14 derby | News Article
Jasper Wiese - Morgan Piek

The Toyota Cheetahs will be targeting a much more clinical performance on Saturday when they host the Southern Kings in the return-leg of the Guinness PRO14 derby.


On Saturday the Cheetahs came from behind to edge the Kings with a 31-30 bonus point victory right at the death in Port Elizabeth.

The Cheetahs were sloppy during the first half in particular, and there will be a lot to work lying ahead if there are to retain their unbeaten record over the Kings in the PRO14.

Including the 80 minutes during their 41-13 defeat to Zebre in Parma earlier January, the Cheetahs played their worst 120 minutes rugby to date in the PRO14.

The replacement scrumhalf, Ruan Pienaar, made an immediate impact when he came into the game, and the ball moved around with a lot more speed and things looked more structured as well.

To date, the Cheetahs have won all seven of their previous derbies against the Kings and they will look to build on that.

The Cheetahs will be boosted with the return of the fiery flanker, Jasper Wiese, who completed his suspension. Furthermore, the loosehead prop, Charles Marais, and the centre, Dries Swanepoel, both recovered from their respective injuries and are also available for selection.

Swanepoel also completed his three-match suspension for the red card he earned against Connacht earlier in the season.

The trio all played for the second-stringers in a training contact session against the defending Varsity Cup champions, the University of Stellenbosch, Maties, over the weekend. 

Wiese told OFM Sport that he is delighted to have completed his suspension, but admits that he will have to earn his jersey back.

“I am very excited and really want to make a return to the team. Having said that, I will have to earn my place back in the team.

“Over the weekend they guys battled against the Kings, but it was a good win for the team. It has given us a big mental boost if I can put it like that.

“This coming week has to be better and we will have to improve on the areas where we were poor.

“I do tip my hat to the Kings because they really fought hard, and they will probably come at us even harder this week. We will have to weather everything they throw in our direction.

“I am excited to be back and hopefully I can work myself back into the setup.”

Saturday’s second derby at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein kicks off at 17:00.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport

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