Johannesburg - Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské has laughed off concerns that the cold weather will hamper his team in their Super Rugby Finals Series match against the Brumbies in Canberra on Sunday.
According to the supersport.com website, with a cold snap hovering over the Australian capital and a forecasted temperature of six degrees for the match, including some fears of snow, there were some fears the free-flowing rugby could be hampered by the cold.
But speaking from the team's Sydney base, Drotské said he had no concerns whatsoever about the weather.
"I don't think the cold will be a factor at all," Drotské said.
"If it was rainy and cold it would be different but we're used to a bit of cold in Bloemfontein.
"Here in Sydney the weather has been so good that the players are walking around in shorts.
"It is strange to think that 200km away it could be so cold but we will see when we leave for Canberra tomorrow.
"As for the snow, I also heard this but we don't believe we will see snow for the match."
Drotské said an afternoon game would suit the Cheetahs better as they were used too playing in the daytime, while most of the Aussie games were at night.
"The afternoon game actually suits us well," he added,
"Most of the Brumbies games were at night and playing on a Sunday makes absolutely no difference to us.
"It just means that whoever wins will have a short turnaround for the semi-final and will be at a disadvantage against a team that has had a week off and is playing at home."
The Cheetahs are hoping to continue their dream season and looking to upset the odds in their first playoff game in their history.