Johannesburg - Just days out from kicking off their 2017 Super Rugby challenge and the Cheetahs have two major issues hanging over their heads: Will captain Francois Venter be ready for the first game, and what’s to become of inspirational coach Franco Smith?
On top of that the Cheetahs – surprising Currie Cup winners last year after registering just four wins in 15 matches in Super Rugby – have had a less than impressive build-up to this year’s campaign.
Smith’s men played in two warm-up matches and lost both – to the Stormers (35-7) and the Sharks (37-7) – with the most worrying aspect the fact they managed to score just one try in each game. And it’s not as if they’re likely to do much better when the competition proper kicks off, as they managed to register a bonus point for four tries or more in a match just once in 2016.
But Smith and Co will also not be too pleased with the team’s defence, especially when one considers the Cheetahs let in 48 tries in their 15 games last season.
And Venter, so impressive as team leader last year, is still doubtful for the start of the competition, against the Lions in Bloemfontein next Saturday, after undergoing an ankle operation in early December. Another midfielder, William Small-Smith (hand), is also still 50/50 for the opener.
The good news though is there will be a lot more depth in the Cheetahs ranks this season and confidence will be high after their unbeaten run to the Currie Cup title a few months ago.
Former SA U-20 captain Junior Pokomela will be hoping for a decent run, and so, too, former Griquas utility back Clinton Swart and former Kings prop Tom Botha. In addition to these men joining the Bloemfontein team, former skipper and lock Francois Uys is back from his stint in Japan and at 30 will bring plenty of experience to the pack.
The Cheetahs though will feel the loss of Lood de Jager, who has joined the Bulls, and there’s also still no clarity on whether coach Smith will be involved beyond this year’s competition.
His name has been mentioned as a possible Springbok backline coach after he toured with the team to the UK and Italy last November, with the South African Rugby Union yet to clarify the position of head coach Allister Coetzee and his assistant coaches following the revue process after what was a dismal 2016 season for Bok rugby.
The Cheetahs, who are up against New Zealand opposition this season after facing the Australian teams last year, wrapped up their “field preparations” on Tuesday night with a run against the Griffons.
After opening against last year’s finalists, the Lions, at home next Saturday, Smith’s men host the Bulls and Sunwolves before trekking to Argentina for a date with the Jaguares. They then return home for a meeting with the Sharks to finish their first month’s fixtures.