On Friday, Black Lion stunned the Cheetahs with a 39-38 win at the Toyota Stadium, marking their first-ever victory against the South African side. While the result and performance were disappointing, it’s far from panic stations in the Cheetahs camp, and what will be important is the manner in which they get back on the horse for the second game.

It certainly was a game of fine margins on Friday, and it’s just a matter of dialling into the basics this weekend and executing well.

Franco Smith Jr and Prince Nkabinde. Photo: Morgan Piek

Winger Prince Nkabinde, who scored the Cheetahs’ last try as they scrambled to secure a win at the death, told OFM Sport that it’s important to set the record straight, but also not to head into the game with a mindset of revenge.

“Like you said, it was really disappointing on Friday night, and the reason is that we’re going up north at the end of the year,” said Nkabinde.

“We’re going to play against teams that are way better. No disrespect to Black Lion, but they’re way better than them.

“We can’t lose games like that, so we have to go out there this week, fix our mistakes at training, and then go out on Sunday and do well for the people of Bloemfontein and for ourselves as well.”

Nkabinde agreed that, in an odd way, losing the first game was something of a blessing in disguise, as they now know which areas of their game need some fine-tuning – and it’s better to find that out now rather than later.

“I agree, it’s a blessing in disguise. And now we know – now we can point out where the issue is,” Nkabinde added.

Zander du Plessis putting a big hit in on the Black Lion flyhalf  Luka Tsirekidze. Photo: Morgan Piek

“It’s something we still have a lot of time to work on as a team and make sure we’re ready when we head to Sandy Park in Exeter.

“It’s something we have to work on, and it’s good – we still have time to do that.”

Nkabinde added that revenge is the last thing on their minds, but they’ll still go in all guns blazing this weekend, while staying mindful of their processes and their own game.

Zander du Plessis and Chucky van der Westhuizen. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We’re not going out there to look for revenge. I heard the Black Lion coach, Richard Cockerill, saying he knows the Cheetahs might come back on Sunday firing,” said the powerful outside back.

“So that’s what we’re looking to do. We’re looking to fire and focus on ourselves, not on revenge or anything like that. We just want to put a plan out there for this weekend and then execute it.”

On Sunday at 12:30, the Cheetahs Legends will face the Bulls Legends in a curtain-raiser at the Toyota Stadium. The final Toyota Challenge fixture between the Cheetahs and Black Lion will kick off at 15:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh