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Cape Town - Despite five successive Super Rugby victories, Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské insists they are the underdogs heading to Pretoria to face the Bulls on Saturday.
The Cheetahs last week beat the Stormers for the first time since 2007, and are currently on a record run of consecutive wins.
They face a Bulls team coming off three consecutive losses in Australasia, but Drotské insists the Bulls will be a different side at Loftus Versfeld.
"We'll still be the underdogs," he said on Die Burger's website.
"We were definitely the underdogs against the Stormers. We were up against a strong Stormers team full of Springboks.
"We have a bunch of young lads who are really surprising everyone in Super Rugby, especially with regards to fitness. That is one thing you need against the Bulls. But at Loftus against the Bulls I don't think the visitors are ever the favourites," said Drotské.
Since they started playing as a franchise in 2006, the Cheetahs have lost all nine of their encounters against the Bulls.
However, Drotské feels 2013 could just be the year of upsets for his side.
"We couldn't beat the Stormers since 2007 and we haven't beaten the Bulls at Loftus in Super Rugby. But we'll keep on working hard."
Drotské confirmed that scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius, who picked up a hamstring injury against the Stormers, will be sidelined for at least two weeks. Tewis de Bruyn will take his place on the bench.
Fullback Hennie Daniller also injured his ribs, but should be ready to face the Bulls, while flank Frans Viljoen (calf) should be fit for selection again.
The clash at Loftus kicks off at 19:10 on Saturday.
The Cheetahs last week beat the Stormers for the first time since 2007, and are currently on a record run of consecutive wins.
They face a Bulls team coming off three consecutive losses in Australasia, but Drotské insists the Bulls will be a different side at Loftus Versfeld.
"We'll still be the underdogs," he said on Die Burger's website.
"We were definitely the underdogs against the Stormers. We were up against a strong Stormers team full of Springboks.
"We have a bunch of young lads who are really surprising everyone in Super Rugby, especially with regards to fitness. That is one thing you need against the Bulls. But at Loftus against the Bulls I don't think the visitors are ever the favourites," said Drotské.
Since they started playing as a franchise in 2006, the Cheetahs have lost all nine of their encounters against the Bulls.
However, Drotské feels 2013 could just be the year of upsets for his side.
"We couldn't beat the Stormers since 2007 and we haven't beaten the Bulls at Loftus in Super Rugby. But we'll keep on working hard."
Drotské confirmed that scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius, who picked up a hamstring injury against the Stormers, will be sidelined for at least two weeks. Tewis de Bruyn will take his place on the bench.
Fullback Hennie Daniller also injured his ribs, but should be ready to face the Bulls, while flank Frans Viljoen (calf) should be fit for selection again.
The clash at Loftus kicks off at 19:10 on Saturday.
