Steyn's blunt assessment of their last match was clear, “I think we disappointed ourselves over the past weekend,” he remarked, highlighting the team's underperformance. Reflecting on the tough discussions that followed, he added:
“There were some harsh words said on Monday and Tuesday. That’s not our standard. We’re never going into a game to save ourselves [for the playoffs]. They just ran over us. It was like old Blue Bulls rugby, one big guy comes around the corner, then another, and you have to man up and defend your line.”
Despite the setback, Steyn pointed to earlier successes to illustrate the team's potential, “At some stages in the campaign, we played extraordinary rugby, old Free State winning, running rugby,” he said. Steyn firmly believes the semi-final presents a redemption opportunity, especially for the younger players in the squad.
Neels Volschenk, the team captain, also spoke about the impact of the loss: “Our egos took a knock. It’s one thing to lose, but the way we lost the game, that’s what hurts the most,”
“We need to man up and front up and go from there.”
Volschenk believes improvement is imperative for the upcoming match, asserting, “We need to be a lot better than we were the previous weekend, because I know the Pumas are also going to be better than they were against us.” The semi-final, being held in Bloemfontein, carries special significance for the team, many of whom hail from the area.
The first semi-final will see the Griquas face off against the Lions in Kimberley at 1pm, setting the stage for the Cheetahs’ game against the Pumas, which kicks off at 3:30 pm in Bloemfontein.
This upcoming clash is not just a game, but a chance for the Cheetahs to prove their mettle and for their young players to step up under pressure. The stakes are high, and with the support of a home crowd, the Cheetahs are ready to turn their fortunes around and secure their place in the final.
