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Bloemfontein - Sias Ebersohn patiently awaited his chance at flyhalf for the Cheetahs in spite of opportunities to continue his career elsewhere and has become a major weapon for his side in the space of a few games.
Ebersohn's good form is probably one of the reasons that the home side believe they could beat the Crusaders at the Free State Stadium on Friday.
The 22-year-old general gives his team direction on attack and his goal-kicking is on song. A potential duel with Dan Carter could therefore not have come at a better time.
Ebersohn said that he had opportunities to move elsewhere, but his patience of staying in Bloemfontein has been rewarded.
"I have given myself a chance to play for four years now, but I was constantly told that my goalkicking is not good enough. That is why I worked hard on my kicking and perhaps did not pay as much attention to other areas," he said.
"Now that I am kicking better, it feels as if I'm generally making a bigger contribution and that is why my general play is better. I put my form down to patience and hard work.
"There were opportunities to play for the Sharks and even the Western Force, but I decided to be patient and work hard."
Ebersohn's kicking kept him out of the starting line-up, but there was a significant improvement after input from kicking expert Louis Koen.
The Cheetahs flyhalf succeeded with all his kicks - four conversions and six penalties - against the Lions.
"When I went to Louis I was uncomfortable with many aspects of kicking. I'm feeling more comfortable now, but must guard against a comfort zone," he said.
"Louis taught me to approach every kick as a new one and that you cannot think about the previous ones you succeeded with."
Carter has been struggling with a hamstring injury in recent weeks, but is set to return against the Cheetahs.
"As flyhalf you are not really physically up against your direct opponent, but if you do your job better than him you have passed the test," said Ebersohn.
Bloemfontein - Sias Ebersohn patiently awaited his chance at flyhalf for the Cheetahs in spite of opportunities to continue his career elsewhere and has become a major weapon for his side in the space of a few games.
Ebersohn's good form is probably one of the reasons that the home side believe they could beat the Crusaders at the Free State Stadium on Friday.
The 22-year-old general gives his team direction on attack and his goal-kicking is on song. A potential duel with Dan Carter could therefore not have come at a better time.
Ebersohn said that he had opportunities to move elsewhere, but his patience of staying in Bloemfontein has been rewarded.
"I have given myself a chance to play for four years now, but I was constantly told that my goalkicking is not good enough. That is why I worked hard on my kicking and perhaps did not pay as much attention to other areas," he said.
"Now that I am kicking better, it feels as if I'm generally making a bigger contribution and that is why my general play is better. I put my form down to patience and hard work.
"There were opportunities to play for the Sharks and even the Western Force, but I decided to be patient and work hard."
Ebersohn's kicking kept him out of the starting line-up, but there was a significant improvement after input from kicking expert Louis Koen.
The Cheetahs flyhalf succeeded with all his kicks - four conversions and six penalties - against the Lions.
"When I went to Louis I was uncomfortable with many aspects of kicking. I'm feeling more comfortable now, but must guard against a comfort zone," he said.
"Louis taught me to approach every kick as a new one and that you cannot think about the previous ones you succeeded with."
Carter has been struggling with a hamstring injury in recent weeks, but is set to return against the Cheetahs.
"As flyhalf you are not really physically up against your direct opponent, but if you do your job better than him you have passed the test," said Ebersohn.
