The Cheetahs started their preparations for the 2013 Super 15, with fitness assessments today. All the injured players, and new signings were present, except Cornal Hendricks, who the Cheetahs have contracted, but SARU maintain he is still contracted to them.
The Training Group:
Forwards: Steph Roberts, Caylib Oosthuizen, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Lourens Adriaanse, Rossouw de Klerk, Ryno Barnes, Adriaan Strauss, Hercu Liebenberg, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Ligtoring Landman, Francois Uys, Andries Ferreira, Edwin Hewitt, Martin Muller, Waltie Vermeulen, Lodewyk de Jager, Marnus Schoeman, Lappies Labuschagné, Heinrich Brüssow, Boom Prinsloo, Justin Downey, Davon Raubenheimer, Philip van der Walt, Leon Karemaker, Tertius Daniller.
Backs: Marnus Hugo, Sarel Pretorius, Pieter van Zyl, Tewis de Bruyn, Johan Goosen, Francois Brummer, Hansie Graaff, Elgar Watts, Barry Geel, Robert Ebersohn, Joubert Engelbrecht, Jean Stemmet, Johann Sadie, JP Nel, Rocco Jansen, Raymond Rhule, Cornal Hendricks, Jannie Boshoff, Dusty Noble, Rayno Benjamin, Nico Scheepers, Willie le Roux, Hennie Daniller, Riaan Smit. (Players in bold text have no Super rugby experience)
New faces in the Cheetahs squad are Caylib Oosthuizen (Lions), Torsten van Jaarveld (Pumas), Rossouw de Klerk (Bulls), Lodewyk de Jager (Leopards), Tertius Daniller (WP), Elgar Watts (Boland), Joubert Engelbrecht (Leopards), Cornal Hendricks (Bok 7′s and Boland), JP Nel (NTT Communications in Japan), Hansie Graaff (Tshwane-universiteit van Tegnologie) and Johann Sadie (Bulls).
Injured players are Coenie Oosthuizen (back), Andries Ferreira (knee), Johan Goosen (knee), Heinrich Brüssow (shoulder), Philip van der Walt (knee) and Lappies Labuschagné (ankel).
There is still no indication that Juan Smit is part of the Cheetahs plans.
November 13th, 2012 at 12:04 SAST
VRYSTAAAAAAAAT!
November 13th, 2012 at 12:14 SAST
Howdy Loosehead,
Not a shabby group assembled. I am quite keen to see if the young “giant”from the Leopards can help alleviate a long standing lock woe. There has also been alot of hype from Treu about young Hansi Graaff, as a flyhalf option.
Other than that we look well served in almost every position.
November 13th, 2012 at 12:19 SAST
Haak Haak Vrystaad is KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK
November 13th, 2012 at 12:21 SAST
Jokes aside?? not a bad squad at all, Problem though with Cheetahs always is depth, the backup players just never seem to fill that void.
Also not so sure about the coaching, although i think Hawies Fourie is very good as an attacking coach, Defense also not good.
November 13th, 2012 at 12:22 SAST
Sharks-forever,
What can be so pleasant about spending the festive season in traction??
November 13th, 2012 at 12:30 SAST
@ Cheetah4eva:
November 13th, 2012 at 12:33 SAST
4@ Sharky,
Normally that is a valid concern, but I think the Toyota deal has helped to retain the bulk of our players. Apart from the 50 odd players we still have a fair bit in reserve. Good players too like:
Schalk van der Merwe (prop), Janro van Niekerk (prop), Matt Dobson (hooker), Simon Westraad (hooker), Wesley Wilkens (Flank) Burger Schoeman (flank), Jonothan Adendorff (flank), Walter Venter (centre), PJ Vermeulen (centre),
Luzuko Vulindlu (wing),Richard Lawson (wing), and Rudi Vogt (fullback).
So there aren’t any real problems unless another nightmare of injuries strikes.
Where do you see possible depth concerns, considering the above?
November 13th, 2012 at 13:29 SAST
Looking at the group above the team selected is almost certain in most positions:
1. Steph Roberts/Caylib Oosthuizen both new to Cheetahs setup.
2. Strauss
3. Coenie
4. Ferreira
5. Muller
6. Brüssow/Marnus Schoeman if Ratel not fit yet.
7. Lappies Labuschagne
8. Phillip vd Walt
9. van Zyl
10. Goosen
11. Rhule
12. Ebersohn
13. Sadie
14. Benjamin/Rocco Jansen
15. le Roux
16. Liebenberg/Barnes
17. Adriaanse
18. Landman
19. Downey
20. Sarel
21. Brummer
22. Nico Scheepers/Daniller
November 14th, 2012 at 02:17 SAST
@ Cheetah4eva:
That’s a good group.
What especially escites me is the backline.
1-3 is also strong.
Cheetahs have to do three things. Tighten up their defense, reduce injuries through good player management and develop the kind of mentality that saw WP win the CC this year. The abilty to CLOSE OFF games, and win.
Against the Brumbies they were robbed, but still could have taken it.
Against the CRUSADERS (of all teams) they lost thanks to a 76′ try.
Against the Highlanders they did not concede a point till the 59′ and still lost.
They even gave the Stormers (twice) and Chiefs a proper fright.
IF they can do this, I’m predicting at least 7 maybe 9 wins. And with a few BP’s along the way, they could be breathing down the necks of the top 6.