WP wary despite facing understrength Cheetahs

Cape Town - Western Province will not be underestimating an understrength Free State Cheetahs outfit when they meet in a Currie Cup encounter at Newlands on Saturday (15:00 kick-off).

The Free Staters will for the remainder of the tournament be forced to field a second-string outfit as their frontline players participate in the PRO14 in Europe.

The Cheetahs were leapfrogged at the top of the standings by the Sharks they were beaten 45-15 in Durban last weekend.

Western Province are fresh off a bye and will be favourites to win on Saturday, but according to their assistant coach, Dawie Snyman, the Cheetahs will be no pushovers.

“The Free State Cheetahs showed in this past weekend’s game against the Sharks that they can put you under pressure if you’re not focused or if you allow them to find rhythm. They’re always at their best against WP,” Snyman told Netwerk24.

The loss in Durban saw the Cheetahs drop down to second spot on the log, with 25 points from seven games – four behind the Sharks.

WP, meanwhile, are fourth on the log with 17 points from six games.