The defending champions, the Toyota Cheetahs will be targeting another strong performance when they tackle Western Province on Saturday in Bloemfontein in round two of the Currie Cup.

The Cheetahs fired a big warning shot on the weekend with a convincing 82-20 win against the Griffons at home in round one.

Province will head to Bloemfontein targeting a first win after they suffered a 30-25 defeat to the Blue Bulls in a wet Cape Town.

With the Cheetahs facing more successful team in Currie Cup history, there is a temptation to bulk up the team with more senior players this week, however, the coach Izak van der Westhuizen, told OFM Sport that they will rather opt for continuity and the changes this week will be minimal.

“There might be one or two changes, but I think we rather want to keep building on the momentum he had on the weekend,” said the former Cheetahs and Edinburgh lock.

Van der Westhuizen added that he was really impressed with the young flyhalf, Ethan Wentzel, Currie Cup debut for the team, in which he scored 19-points, which was made up of a try and seven conversions.

“Ethan puts in the work like a professional - he asks good questions, he takes notes. I like the way he operates off the field and I think that gives him confidence on the field as well.”

The Cheetahs centre and vice-captain, Ali Mgijima, who played in his first game after a two-month injury lay-off, told OFM Sport that there was good energy on the field of play.

“Definitely, with the prep during the week we prepared very well and I think we owned ourselves a big game against the Griffons. The prep week went well and we had good energy in the game which allowed us to pull it through on the weekend.

“I enjoyed myself on the field. It's been a minute - it was close to two months without rugby and this weekend was amazing for me, and being about to put in such a good performance was really great.”

Saturday’s game between the Cheetahs and Province at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 13:55.

The Cheetahs coach, Izak van der Westhuizen, and centre Ali Mgijima

Morgan Piek OFM Sport