Johannesburg - Their unbelievable victory over the Waratahs may have been their finest moment, but the Cheetahs are licking their wounds in the aftermath of their 23-3 victory in Sydney.
The team have moved onto Brisbane to prepare for this weekend’s Vodacom Super Rugby clash with the Reds, but have lost two players to injury in the process.
Captain Andries Strauss has headed back home to Bloemfontein with a groin injury that will keep him out between four and six weeks, meaning the Cheetahs will name their fifth captain in this year’s competition for this weekend.
That man is likely to be former Bulls lock Wilhelm Steenkamp, who took over the captaincy when Strauss limped off and continued to lead the team to a famous victory in Sydney.
As if Strauss’ injury wasn’t enough bad news, the Cheetahs also lost flank Frans Viljoen to a hamstring injury – which is likely to cost him two to three weeks action in the competition.
This comes after they already lost wing Rayno Benjamin to a hamstring injury before the Waratahs game.
Wilmaure Louw and Barry Geel both boarded flights to Australia Sunday to replace Benjamin and Strauss respectively.
Davon Raubenheimer is favourite to replace Viljoen at flank as the Cheetahs look to build on their first victory in the competition.