Vodacom Super Rugby
Ebersohn eager to shine
2012-04-13 13:47
Bloemfontein - Sias Ebersohn has been handed the perfect opportunity to prove his worth to the Cheetahs in their Super Rugby game against the Chiefs in Bloemfontein on Saturday, after replacing injured flyhalf Johan Goosen.
Getting his first start this season, with Goosen included on the bench after a late recovery from a shoulder injury, Ebersohn is pitted against All Black Aaron Cruden, another Super Rugby rookie.
"It's a hefty blow losing someone like Johan Goosen, but Sias is experienced and has proven himself on this level in the past," said Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske.
"We were looking to give him more game time, so this is the perfect opportunity.
"The Chiefs will be a big test for us, especially after we succeeded against the Hurricanes and the Lions."
Ebersohn came on in the second half in the Cheetahs' victory over the Lions last week and showed signs that he still had the ability to compete at Super Rugby level.
Ebersohn was adamant that he would use the opportunity to prove himself again to the Cheetahs' management.
"I had a very good season last year, especially in Super Rugby, but obviously that hasn't been good enough for the selectors," Ebersohn said.
"I'm not at all happy with the little game time I've had so far, but I have to use this chance to show everybody once again what I am capable of."
The Chiefs have won five games in a row and with seasoned campaigners like Lelia Masaga, Tim Nanai-Williams and Sonny Bill Williams in their back-line, the Cheetahs have a tough task, even on home soil.
Ebersohn said the tourists were a good all-round side that would test the Cheetahs from the very beginning.
"The Chiefs will be our toughest test thus far in the competition," Ebersohn said.
"The main challenge will be to keep the ball from their dangerous back-line players. That's where our forwards will come in.
"They haven't won five games in succession for nothing.
"We have been good defensively so far, so we will want to bring our best."