CHEETAHS

Tuesday 30th January 2007

All that can be predicted of the Cheetahs season is that they will be unpredictable. With the ever inventive Rassie Erasmus at the helm one can be assured that this sides planning will be meticulous, and they could perhaps be the surprise package of the competition.

Their backline has become far more settled, and with the likes of Ronnie Cook and Marius Joubert vying for places in the starting line-up you begin to realise the amount of depth and quality that is beginning to build up and surface in the Free State.

Rassie Erasmus assures us that he will not change his approach from the Currie Cup, so expect to see some exciting performances from a tightly knit unit.

South Africa's newest franchise would hope to not only be competitive, as they were in their debut year in 2006, but this time they will hope to finish in the top half of the standings.

But for them to do that, they will have to turn some of those nears losses from last year - such as their thrilling 33-32 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton - into victories.

What does count in their favour is that their first seven games are on South African soil, six of those being home games, before they have a bye and then hit the road. The perfect draw.

Strengths: The organisational and analytical skills of coach Rassie Erasmus is what has made this team such a success over the last few years. They have a solid set of forwards and this year some real depth among the backline.

Weakness: The fact that most of the decision making is being done off the field, means there is very little room for the players to use their own initiative. It is a bit joke in South Africa, but flashing lights and colour-coded cards have become a feature of their game, as coach Rassie Erasmus sends out signals to the players.

Noteworthy signings: Marius Joubert (from the Stormers), Herkie Kruger (in the region last year, but new to the squad), Ashley Johnson (SA Under-21), Jonathan Mokuena (Leopards), Adriaan Strauss (Bulls).

Noteworthy losses: Gaffie du Toit (Toulouse)

Coach: Rassie Erasmus achieved the unthinkable, winning the Currie Cup in his first full year as a coach and then sharing it the next year just to prove it was not a fluke. He showed last year that he could make the step up from Currie Cup to the Super 14. It will be interesting to see what he comes up with this year.

Captain: Juan Smith is one of most highly rated loose forwards in South Africa, if not the world. He has made steady progress over the last few years as a player. Now he must show the same maturity as a team leader.

Player(s) to watch: They have so many players with star qualities, but if we have to pick one back it must be centre Ronnie Cooke, who made huge strides last year in his first year of Super rugby. And among the forwards it must be Kabamba Floors, one of the most electrifying loose forwards in South Africa. He would be keen to show his Springbok call-up for the Boks' year-end tour was not a one-off.

2006 Position: 10th
Best finish: 10th (2006 - debut year)
Worst finish: 10th (2006 - debut year)
Home Venue: Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein (capacity 40,000)

2007 Prediction: They will again be one of the better South African teams and depending on how they do on the road, could even be a play-off prospects. 8th

Cheetahs squad: Meyer Bosman, Philip Burger, Michael Claassens, Ronnie Cooke, Wian du Preez, Jannie du Plessis, Rory Duncan, Willem de Waal, Kabamba Floors, Bevin Fortuin, Eddie Fredericks, Alwyn Hollenbach, Marius Joubert, Herkie Kruger, Ollie le Roux, Tiger Mangweni, Jonathan Mokuena, Falie Oelschig, Barend Pieterse, Gavin Passens, Adriaan Strauss, Richardt Strauss, Hendro Scholtz, Juan Smith, CJ van der Linde, Corniel van Zyl, Darren Nell, Rayno van der Merwe, Zane Kirchner, Rayno Benjamin.
* Os du Randt (injured), Barry Goodes (injured).

Schedule:

3 February: v Stormers, home
10 February: v Bulls, away
17 February: v Waratahs, home
24 February: v Crusaders, home
2 March: v Chiefs, home
10 March: v Sharks, home
17 March: v Brumbies, home
23/24 March: BYE
30 March: v Highlanders, away
7 April: v Blues, away
13 April: v Hurricanes, away
21 April: v Reds, away
27 April: v Western Force, away
5 May: v Lions, away

By James White