Buoyed by an impressive Challenge Cup opener, assistant coach Izak van der Westhuizen said the Cheetahs are champing at the bit to face the Sharks on Sunday.
The battle between the Cheetahs and Sharks in Bloemfontein will be a blockbuster, with both teams entering the match with confidence after good victories in the competition last week.
The Free Staters are well aware that the Durbanites may be more match fit as they have been participating in the Vodacom URC, whereas the hosts only got their top class season going last weekend, but this could see them take the field with bolstered energy levels.
With both sides priding themselves on their set pieces and solid attack, it is expected to be a typical hard-fought derby, and Van der Westhuizen can’t wait for the clash.
“We all have dreams here at the Free State for the union to go further and compete more often in an international competition. So for us it is definitely an opportunity to show what we are made of,” he said.
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“They are a good team on paper, but luckily the game is not played on paper. On the day, anything can happen. It’s about who wants it the most and who is the hungriest.
“We will see at 3pm in Bloemfontein who wants it the most.”
The forwards coach added: “They have also built confidence in their eight and are going to come into the scrums for us and try to roll.
“They want to play enterprising rugby, so the slower we can make it at the breakdown points, the better for us. It will also give our defence an opportunity to be in their faces.”
The Sharks made a welcome return to winning ways in the competition with a resounding victory against French outfit Pau in Durban, where double World Cup winners Lukhanyo Am and Eben Etzebeth scored two tries apiece.
“We are very excited about the opportunity to play against the Sharks,” Van der Westhuizen said. “We look forward to the opportunity and the challenge of playing against them and seeing where we stand in relation to the other teams in South Africa at this stage.”
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