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Pretoria - The fact that the Cheetahs have lost their sixth flank of the season in their 32-21 loss to the Bulls on Saturday has not ended the team's hopes of recording their best Super Rugby season to date.
The Cheetahs should on Monday confirm fears that flank Kabamba Floors will be out with a knee ligament injury sustained in Pretoria.
Despite the loss Free State coach Naka Drotské, said he was extremely proud of how his men performed and that they could have won the match, had the bounce favoured them on the night.
"I said to the guys afterwards that they still played with a lot of heart and we could have won this game with a little bit of luck.
"We have two games left and we need one more win for the best season ever so there is a lot to play for."
Insufficient squad depth is, however, starting to take its toll.
"Injuries can't be seen as an excuse, although we have lost nine players in the loose-forward and lock positions - three locks and six loose forwards - and we now lost Kabamba Floors (the sixth) as well.
"It is a frustrating season, when we had a full squad we lost games within six points where we should have won it," Drotské said referring to matches against the Hurricanes, Lions and Bulls (in Bloemfontein).
Cheetahs captain Adriaan Strauss echoed his coach's views on their upcoming matches against the Sharks and Stormers.
"The guys are still positive and we feel that we still have a lot to play for, so we are looking forward to the upcoming matches."
He added that there was a noticeable difference to the Bulls side that they faced during the return derby.
"Credit to the Bulls, they have a good tight five and they are starting to round off their balls well and I really think they are starting to peak.
"I think their frontrow has definitely improved since we last played here, but we also scrummed well for most of the match.
