Bloemfontein – After a perfect start to their Super Rugby campaign, Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske has urged his side to produce a similar performance when they take on the Blues in Bloemfontein on Friday evening.
The Cheetahs beat the Sharks in Durban last week, bagging maximum points in the process. Playing in their first home game, the Drotske said nothing had changed in their approach to Friday's game.
“It was a massive confidence boost for us to win our first game of the competition. I don't know when that last happened,” he said.
“For us it is important to take everything from that game and incorporate it into the match against the Blues.”
Drotske said his side should not underestimate a physical outfit like the Blues.
“Confidence is a good thing, but we must be careful not to be over-confident, especially against the Blues.
“They almost came back with just fourteen men on the park last week against the Stormers. Therefore, we are not naive and we know it is going to be a very tough game.”
A lot of positives were taken from the game against the Sharks, most notably a strong scrum performance, against a Springbok front row.
“Our scrums were very good against the Sharks. I think that Os du Randt has really helped in shaping our form there,” Drotske said.
“There was a lot of pressure on us to perform in the scrums after we did not do well there in last year's Super Rugby and Currie Cup competitions.
“We showed against the Sharks Springbok front row that we are up for the challenge. In saying that, the pressure will be there to try and do that in every game.”
Drotske said they might use the same kicking approach against the Blues which worked against the Sharks.
“We have our weapons of attack and our tactical kickers to do what we want to implement. Joe Petersen, Sarel Pretorius and Willie le Roux showed against the Sharks that we can kick and make teams turn around if we have to.”
Blues captain Jerome Kaino earlier in the week said the Cheetahs would be difficult to beat at home. The Blues leader would be playing in his 100th Super Rugby game and would want to celebrate the milestone with a victory. – Sapa