Cheetahs on prowl for glory

The Toyota Free State Cheetahs are on the verge of ending their 10-year silverware drought as they go into the 2016 Currie cup final against their long-time traditional rivals the Blue Bulls at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein this Saturday. Kick-off is at 16:00. The last time the two teams met in a Currie final was back in 2007.

The Cheetahs have maintained an unblemished campaign thus far, decimating all opposition in front of them, including the Bulls who they now feel will pose a different challenge on Saturday.

They finished at the top of the Currie Cup log winning all eight of the scheduled cup fixtures. They collected a massive 39 points, nine ahead of second place finishers, the Bulls, who could only manage 30 points from their six wins.

Speaking at a media conference at the Toyota Stadium on Thursday afternoon, Cheetahs captain Francois Venter said he was looking forward to playing in the final but said he and his teammates were treading with caution so as not to suffer an upset against a tough Bulls side.

He played down the tag of favourites. “We started on day one to prepare for the final. We are just going to go out there and enjoy ourselves … We have done the work so far.

“(However) I don’t know about us being the favourites. In the final everything is equal… anything can happen in the final.

Cheetahs coach, Franco Smith, on the other hand, said his side will go out there and focus on their own game, although he acknowledges the strengths that the bulls have and the threat they pose to their ideal of winning the 2016 Currie Cup title.

“We know their game and what they are pretty good at. We know they are quite used to kicking it (the ball). They have got brilliant talent on the wings, you know Jamba (Ulengo) has really been playing good rugby this season. I agree, that is a threat.

“Our most important thing is that we have got to play better going forward. Our style, the way we play, what we are going to do out there and how we mentally handle the pressure, is more important to me.

“So concentrating on our own thing is going to be the main thing.”

Tickets to the final are sold out. The gates open at 10:00 in the morning, with two curtain raiser finals between Western Province and Golden Lions under-21 and under-23 teams respectively set to kickstart Saturday’s action.

Bloemfontein Celtic have joined several local organisations and sporting institutions that have wished the Cheetahs all the best in their quest for glory this Saturday, while the Bulls also received well wishes from their neighbouring football counterparts, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Celtic CEO Khumbulani Konco released a statement on the Celtic website and this is what he said: “Right through the tournament the Cheetahs team played with conviction and impeccable tactical ability. Dominating scrums and converting tries was the order of the day as they courageously won games towards the final.

“We are fully behind the Cheetahs; our cordial relationship with them has seen both institutions supporting each other and winning the Currie Cup will be duly celebrated by even our supporters.

“Celtic and its associates congratulate the Cheetahs for reaching the final and trust that they will make the province proud by ultimately winning the prestigious trophy.”