Cape Town - Cheetahs backline coach Hawies Fourie has urged flyhalf Sias Ebersohn to run out with confidence against the Force in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Ebersohn made a big blunder against the Highlanders last week when he missed a penalty in front of the posts with two minutes remaining, which could have won the game.
But a long-term injury to flyhalf Johan Goosen has again put Ebersohn in the driver's seat for the clash against the Force.
Goosen dislocated his shoulder against the Highlanders, aggravating an injury he picked up against the Chiefs a couple of weeks ago, and will be out of action for at least four months.
Ebersohn, who has bemoaned the little game time he has received this season, starts in Goosen's place.
Fourie said Ebersohn should put the bad episode behind him.
"We know Sias is a good player and any player plays better if he has self-confidence and gets enough game time," Fourie told Volksblad.
"He felt really bad after the Highlanders game. He apologised to his team-mates in the dressing room - something which wasn't even necessary.
"If you look at matches there are things that happen in the first or second minute that also lead to the other team getting three points.
"People are inclined to focus on the last few minutes to see what led to a try or who conceded a penalty. But if the first guy didn't concede a penalty in the first five minutes, things would have been different.
"It's important that Sias gets perspective about that kick and realise there's more to life than one kick and rugby.
"He must just be himself again, practice with confidence and play with it this weekend," said Fourie.
Teams:
Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Cameron Jacobs, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 George Earle, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen
Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Andries Ferreira, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Riaan Smit, 22 Philip Snyman
Force:
TBA
Ebersohn made a big blunder against the Highlanders last week when he missed a penalty in front of the posts with two minutes remaining, which could have won the game.
But a long-term injury to flyhalf Johan Goosen has again put Ebersohn in the driver's seat for the clash against the Force.
Goosen dislocated his shoulder against the Highlanders, aggravating an injury he picked up against the Chiefs a couple of weeks ago, and will be out of action for at least four months.
Ebersohn, who has bemoaned the little game time he has received this season, starts in Goosen's place.
Fourie said Ebersohn should put the bad episode behind him.
"We know Sias is a good player and any player plays better if he has self-confidence and gets enough game time," Fourie told Volksblad.
"He felt really bad after the Highlanders game. He apologised to his team-mates in the dressing room - something which wasn't even necessary.
"If you look at matches there are things that happen in the first or second minute that also lead to the other team getting three points.
"People are inclined to focus on the last few minutes to see what led to a try or who conceded a penalty. But if the first guy didn't concede a penalty in the first five minutes, things would have been different.
"It's important that Sias gets perspective about that kick and realise there's more to life than one kick and rugby.
"He must just be himself again, practice with confidence and play with it this weekend," said Fourie.
Teams:
Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Cameron Jacobs, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 George Earle, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen
Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Andries Ferreira, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Riaan Smit, 22 Philip Snyman
Force:
TBA