Can they live up to their name?

This week we kick off a new segment, where we will be taking a closer look at the 2010 Super 14 and all the teams involved. We will break down various aspects of each team and give you our opinion on how we think they will perform in this years competition.

Starting at the bottom of last year’s log, we take a closer look at the Cheetahs:

Although the Cheetahs have done consistently well in the Currie Cup in recent years, they have failed to impress in the Super 14, results wise. At times coming off with the unlikeliest of wins, earning themselves the title of “giant killers”, they have, however, ended near the bottom of the log since joining the competition in 2006.

Last year saw the Cheetahs come close to winning a number of games on the road, but letting things slip away from them at the business end of things. It isn’t all doom and gloom at the Bloemfontein based franchise though, with the Cheetahs nearly pulling off a historic win over the B&I Lions, and then closing out the Sharks in the Shark tank to go on to face the Blue Bulls in the 2009 Currie Cup final, it seems like things are starting to look up. Adding to this is the fact that a number of talented young players from the Griquas, who also enjoyed a largely successful 2009 Currie Cup, will be joining the Cheetahs’ ranks for this year’s Super 14 competition. One might get the feeling that things are starting to turn a corner as far as the Cheetahs’ Super 14 hopes are concerned.

With their inspirational leader, Juan Smith making a return from injury after a freak accident on his farm, teaming up with the likes of Heinrich Brussow, who dominated the scene last year as far as world class fetchers are concerned, the Cheetahs should be able to handle their own at any breakdown situation.

Players to watch:

• Griquas’ star scrumhalf, Sarel Pretorius was highly unlucky to miss out on selection for the end of year Springbok our to the UK. Watch out for this live-wire #9 as he tries to prove the selectors wrong in this year’s Super 14.
• The Cheetahs’ front row of Wian du Preez, Adriaan Straus and WP Nel, who are being coached by non other than Os du Randt, should be able to keep most front row combinations, the world over, busy for years to come. Watch as they try to stamp their dominance early on when they come up against the Bulls in their 1st outing this year.
• Heinrich Brussow will be looking to carry on his success after dominating the scene last year.
• Springbok Seven’s star, Robert Ebersohn is also back from injury after breaking his leg early on in last year’s Currie Cup competition. Hopefully he will get some decent game time in the centres.
• The Cheetahs have three of the quickest wings around in Nokwe, Mapoe and Demas. Lets hope the ball can get past #12 though.
• Riaan Viljoen, another one of the Griquas’ stand out players last year, will be keen to show his massive boot during this years competition. 60m drop goals can turn a game on its head quicker than you’d expect.

 This is what they are capable of: [munstersabu]

Possible Concerns:

• At the moment the Cheetahs are without an experienced specialist #10 due to injury to Naas Olivier and the defection of Jaques Louis Potgieter to the Bulls. By the looks of thing Tewis De Bruin will be filling the #10 jumper for the early stages of the competition, with young Sias Ebersohn waiting in the wings.
• The Cheetahs may lack some experience and depth to get them through the business end of the competition.

BSR’s prediction for the Cheetah’s best possible finish: 6th