The Cheetahs will try to get their EPCR Challenge campaign back on track when they take on Ulster on Sunday.
The Bloemfontein side has been struggling in the competition but have been up against in-form opposition in the form of Stade Français, Exeter Chiefs, and now Ulster, all of whom sit in third place in their respective competitions.
It will be a difficult task for the Cheetahs, who haven’t played since losing to Stade Français on 13 December. Frans Steyn told OFM Sport that it is difficult to get the players match-fit in these circumstances.
“The squad is coming along nicely. I just think we need continuity; we need game time. When the SA Cup starts, we’ll get proper game time. Hopefully, when we hit the Currie Cup, it will be smooth sailing. In both games (Stade Français and Exeter), we were in it; it was our own mistakes that cost us the game. Imagine if we can play games like that week in and week out. We can keep on improving and evolving. I still think we need a proper competition, and that will kill the soft moments, because the only way you learn is to play top-quality sides week in and week out,” Steyn noted.
Ulster are on a bit of a streak, two wins constitutes a streak, after defeating Connacht and, more recently, dismantling Munster in cold and wet conditions. Europe is currently being hit by Storm Goretti, which has struck the continent with freezing temperatures, gale-force winds, and snow. The conditions further complicate the task at hand for the Cheetahs.
The one silver lining for the Cheetahs is that assistant coach Ruan Pienaar made 141 appearances for the Belfast club. His knowledge might be just the thing to help the Cheetahs get over the line.
