Rugby
Cheetahs look to bounce back against EP─── MORGAN PIEK 09:28 Thu, 11 Apr 2024
“We love pressure and that's why we are professional athletes. Being given an opportunity in the SA Cup is golden, because it does kind of gear you up to try a few things that you maybe haven't tried before.”
The Toyota Cheetahs will look to return to winning ways on the weekend when they tackle Eastern Province in round four of the SA Cup.
Last week a fringe Cheetahs team suffered a 50-0 drubbing at the hands of the Pumas in Bloemfontein, while in France they lost 27-22 to a strong Clermont team in the round of 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup.
This week their first-choice players are back from France, however, some of them will be rested.
The Elephants in turn have lost two of their three games and will want to prove a point.
The Cheetahs flanker, Sibabalo Qoma, who scored twice against Clermont and hails from the Eastern Cape, told OFM Sport that this game will be a bit personal.
You know what? I always get that question and it is a little bit personal,” said Qoma.
“With respect to EP, the guys tend to want to play outside the province, and the guys who make it out, we all know each other.
“So it's always like 'Ah, you're playing for the Cheetahs or the EP, let's see who is better'.”
Qoma added that playing in the SA Cup is a golden opportunity despite the tournament perhaps not quite receiving the attention that it deserves.
“There's a lot to play for past our best and that pressure is always there,” Qoma added.
“We love pressure and that's why we are professional athletes. Being given an opportunity in the SA Cup is golden, because it does kind of gear you up to try a few things that you maybe haven't tried before.
“This can give you that confidence to become a better player.”
The Cheetahs will name their team for the match against the Elephants on Thursday.
Saturday’s match at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 15:00.
Toyota Cheetahs - 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Banie Britz, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Andell Loubser, 11 Litha Nkula, 10 Abner van Reenen, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Siba Qoma, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Mzwanele Zito, 3 Justin Forwood, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Cameron Dawson
Replacements - 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Alulutho Tshwakeni, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Thabang Mahalasi, 21 Sisonke Vumazonke, 22 Marko Janse van Vuren, 23 George Lourens
Morgan Piek OFM Sport
