Naka Drotské (Gallo Images)

Jóhann Thormählen

Bloemfontein – The Stormers’ defence may be as hard as Table Mountain,  but the Cheetahs have a plan to expose the cracks.

In fact, the Cheetahs are not overly concerned about the Cape side’s watertight defence in the Super 14 and believe they can beat them.

The Stormers have conceded only 51 points in 5 games – the least of any team – and have conceded only 4 tries.

Not even the dangerous Hurricanes could do much against their tough defensive line on Saturday.

The home team’s average score in the competition is 28-10 and clearly the Cheetahs will not be given much of a chance.

By contrast the Cheetahs’ average score is 29-28 and their defence was a weakness until their last game against the Hurricanes.

After the Stormers the Crusaders are the team that have conceded the least points – 21 per game.

However, Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské and assistant Hawies Fourie are not worried about the Stormers’ defence.

Head coach Drotské said that the Cheetahs definitely have a few aces up their sleeves, but he does not want to give away secrets.

“We have a number of things we worked on during the week and believe we can score tries against them,” he said.

Fourie also believes the Cheetahs can test the Stormers’ defence.

“We have a specific plan of how we will play against the Stormers and will be able to beat them if we play about 15% better than we did against the Hurricanes,” he said.

“Our defence and intensity was considerably better against the Hurricanes, but our attack can improve.”

He believes the Cheetahs need to be patient and build phases.

“We have to keep the ball for longer. The Stormers’ defence is good, but it does not mean we cannot score tries against them. We have different qualities to the teams we have played against.”

The Cheetahs will not just rely on their attacking abilities, but also their accurate kicking at posts.

They have a success rate of 84% at posts and will be out to take every opportunity.

“Discipline will be very important. If we get the opportunity to score points, we have to use it,” said Drotské.

Teams:

Stormers:
15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Tim Whitehead, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Schalk Burger (captain), 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Anton Van Zyl, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Wicus Blaauw

Substitutes: 16. Deon Fourie, 17. JC Kritzinger, 18. De Kock Steenkamp, 19. Pieter Louw, 20. Ricky Januarie, 21. Willem De Waal, 22. Sireli Naqelevuki

Cheetahs:
15. Hennie Daniller, 14. Lionel Mapoe, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Jongi Nokwe, 10. Naas Olivier, 9. Sarel Pretorius, 8. Frans Viljoen, 7. Juan Smith (captain), 6. Hendro Scholtz, 5. Waltie Vermeulen, 4. Nico Breedt, 3. WP Nel, 2. Adriaan Strauss, 1. Wian du Preez

Substitutes: 16. Ryno Barnes, 17. Coenie Oosthuizen, 18.. Barend Pieterse, 19 Kabamba Floors, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Corne Uys, 22. Danwel Demas