The Cheetahs ran in 10 tries to the Griffons 1 in what can only be described as a practice match as the men from Bloemfontein tweaked their final preparations.
What this match did allow was for Naka Drotske and his staff to get a clearer picture of the Cheetahs best centre pairing with Francois Venter, Michael van der Spuy and Johann Sadie looking sharp – however, JW Jonker not in action.
Venter looked especially good and was on song against the Griffons as he slipped between inside and outside centre with ease.
A Shoulder injury kept him out of most of the 2014 Super Rugby season but this could be the year for him to step up.
Hawies Fourie, the Cheetahs’ backline coach, has a pleasant problem of who will begin in the centres in next weekend’s Sharks game.
Venter is probably already on the team sheet, but the question is who will accompany him.
Venter began the game in the No 12 jersey with Sadie on his outside – Van der Spuy was a replacement.
But it has not make much difference because Drotske swapped his players around every few minutes.
All 3 centres scored in the match, with Van der Spuy getting over the line twice.
The contact session was more of an exercise than a true match.
Both teams were at times lethargic and lacked intensity, they even played the second half from specific places on the field and practiced movements.
The Cheetahs finally scored 10 tries and the Griffons 1 in the 50 / 5 rout with Springbok flyer Cornal Hendricks nabbing 3 as he effortlessly rounded the defence.
Another player that looked impressive was Coenie Oosthuizen who seemed busy and fit around the park.
Loose forward Boom Prinsloo also had a good comeback from injury while No 8 Willie Britz looks to be one of the best signings of the year.
Scorers:
Toyota Cheetahs:
- Tries: Johann Sadie (1), Francois Venter (1), Michael van der Spuy (2), Cornal Hendricks (3), Unnamed (3)
Down Touch Griffons:
- Tries: Pienaar
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Willie Britz (captain), 7 Teboho Mohojé, 6 Jean Cook, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Minnie
Replacements: Caylib Oosthuizen, Stephan Coetzee, Ewald van der Westhuizen, Carel Greeff, Johannes Prinsloo, Tian Meyer, Willie du Plessis, Clayton Blommetjies, Johann Sadie.
rugby365