Cheetahs lose wee Sergeal

Sergeal Pietersen © Gallo ImagesSuper Rugby Prediction gameSuper Rugby Fantasy gameThe rugby week in pictures'Ingredients for Super Rugby success' - Gavin Rich Cheetahs lose Sergeal by Brenden Nel 25 January 2015, 21:19

The Toyota Cheetahs have been dealt their first massive injury blow of the season when news filtered through that SA under-20 winger Sergeal Pietersen broke his jaw during Saturday’s pre-season friendly against the Vodacom Bulls in Polokwane.

Pietersen, who transferred to Bloemfontein from the EP Kings at the end of last season, went off the field early after a clash with a defender and was replaced by Clayton Blommetjies.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske confirmed that it would be a lengthy spell on the sidelines for Pietersen, who is a dynamite finisher.

“It looks like we’ve lost him for between six and eight weeks,” Drotske said.

The Cheetahs still have Bok winger Cornal Hendricks, who missed the 30-13 loss to the Bulls, along with fellow Boks Willie le Roux and Teboho Mohoje and should be in action when they face the Stormers this coming weekend in their next pre-season friendly.

Drotske will be holding thumbs that he doesn’t lose another player as SA under-20 prop Maks van Dyk undergoes an MRI scan on Monday morning after being stretchered off with a suspected neck injury during the game on Saturday.

Van Dyk went for X-rays and a scan shortly after the game, which all cleared him of any damage, but the precautionary scan on Monday in Bloemfontein will bring more clarity.

In his first few matches for the Kings he looked to have potential, but started to look more like a one trick pony waiting for intercepts or turnovers.
Will be good to see how he does with the more expansive Cheetas. The Kings backline was pathetic. Pretty much any try was a rolling maul

  Sharkbok 
We have too many small fast players in SA playing on the wing - Pietersen is just one of many.   They are reasonably good in attacking play - and useless in defense.   They get injured easily when they come up against stronger and bigger players - especially in defense.   
We are constantly looking for a Habana replica - but none has emerged thus far.   
These players should look at playing 7's - but even there the acancies are few and far betwee n.    

 He was incredibly poor in last years JWC and c ouldn't catch a ball nor defend

 Another small guy who will never cut it at the top level where the big guys are just as quick as he is. He offers very little so why they waste time with guys like this is a mystery barring quotas or just plain stupidity. Isnt the Cheethas defence bad enough without adding the defensively very frail wee Sergeal!!! 
He should have stayed with the ep queens as nobody expects much from them.