The Cheetahs experienced their first setback of the season last week in Kimberley, losing a close match 24-21 to the reigning champions, Griquas. Despite the defeat, Steyn found reasons to be optimistic, particularly with the performance of his youthful front row in the gritty encounter.
"We've got young and inexperienced props and the only way for them to learn is to be in those situations. I don’t think there are a lot of 21-year-olds and 23-year-olds who will go to Kimberley and stand [firm] in the scrum like they did, especially with so much emotion and in such a physical game. I’m happy with our guys."
Among the standout players, Steyn highlighted the efforts of the loosehead Tebogo Nkosi and tighthead Frankie Dos Reis, applauding their contribution under pressure.
"Frankie put in a massive shift. Tebogo, for me, is a massive talent. He’s 21 years old. The only way they’re going to learn is to play. We need to back them and make them better. This is the route we chose at the beginning and we need to make it work. The gaps between the players are getting closer. That’s a good thing for us."
Turning focus to their next challenge, the team captain, Neels Volschenk, expressed confidence stemming from their second-half rally against the Griquas, where they nearly overturned a 10-point halftime deficit.
"The Stormers is a massive game," declared Volschenk. "We’re halfway through the season and it’s just about being better than the previous week." The captain also shrugged off any concerns about changing venues to Athlone Stadium due to scheduling clashes with the URC side’s match against the All Blacks.
"It might be wet, it’s the Cape, but at the end of the day it’s a rugby field and it’s the same for both sides," Volschenk noted. "If I were a Stormers player I would probably prefer to play in Green Point as well."
This face-off promises to test the mettle of this young Cheetahs squad once again, as they continue to mature and rise through the ranks of South African rugby. With a promising blend of youth and determination, the Cheetahs are poised to make their mark, starting with this critical midpoint match in their season.
