Jóhann Thormählen

Bloemfontein – If the Free State Cheetahs can keep exciting scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius in check, they can probably do the same with promising Springbok Francois Hougaard.

That is the view of Free State Cheetahs centre Robert Ebersohn ahead of Saturday’s Currie Cup match against the Blue Bulls in Bloemfontein.

Hougaard, 22, was one of the Boks’ standout players in the Tri-Nations and will have to be watched closely if the Cheetahs want to avoid a third home defeat.

Ebersohn believes Hougaard and Griquas’ Pretorius are both outstanding players and are similar scrumhalves.

“If your defensive system is right and your defenders are alert around the rucks, Francois can only do so much.

“Sarel is just as dangerous around the rucks and with his blindside breaks. Francois may be a bit stronger, but we should be able to handle him if we can keep Sarel in check,” he said.

Free State Cheetahs will therefore be delighted that they managed to beat Pretorius and Griquas in Kimberley.

Even so, Hougaard is likely to ask more questions of the Cheetahs’ defence.

“One will have to put a lot of pressure on Hougaard. He recently had two good matches for the Boks and we will have to watch him closely,” said Cheetahs assistant coach Hawies Fourie.

Ebersohn says Free State Cheetahs have not seen much of Hougaard at scrumhalf because he played on the wing for the Bulls in the Super 14.

The centre says one has more space on the wing.

“Francois had the opportunity to get into spaces when he played wing and that made him very dangerous. He’s still dangerous at scrumhalf, but one is more limited in what you can do because you have a primary task to execute before being able to catch some shine.”