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Cape Town - Cheetahs defence coach Michael Horak says there's no reason why they cannot build on their heroic defensive effort from last week.
According to the Volksblad website, the Cheetahs made 220 tackles compared to the Highlanders' 66 in a game won 36-19 by the men from Bloemfontein last Saturday.
On Friday (10:40 SA time) they take on the Waratahs in Sydney and Horak is confident that his players can go through another gruelling 80 minutes.
"The bodies will hold up, we're a tough bunch of lads," said Horak.
"Each guy has a specific role in our defensive structure which everybody is comfortable with."
Horak said last week's game was arguably their best ever defensive effort, which is pleasing for a team known more for its attacking prowess.
"Something that really stands out for me this year is our conditioning. They guys look fitter and stronger. We're succeeding in tackling our opponents backwards."
He did, however, acknowledge that the defensive structure is built around their main strength, which is to attack.
"Running rugby is our trademark and we have to plan around that," said Horak.
The Cheetahs also received good news on Thursday when captain Adriaan Strauss (hooker, ankle), Johan Goosen (flyhalf, illness) and Lappies Labuschagné (flank, hamstring) all passed fitness tests after being unable to train earlier in the week.
Teams:
Waratahs:
15 Israel Folau, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Peter Betham, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Brendan McKibbin, 8 Pat McCutcheon, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 John Ulugia, 1 Benn Robinson
Substitutes: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Mitchell Chapman, 19 Lopeti Timani, 20 Matt Lucas, 21 Ben Volavola, 22 Rob Horne
Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Frans Viljoen, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane
Substitutes: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Landman Ligtoring, 19 Heinrich Brussow, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Riaan Smith, 22 Ryno Benjamin
According to the Volksblad website, the Cheetahs made 220 tackles compared to the Highlanders' 66 in a game won 36-19 by the men from Bloemfontein last Saturday.
On Friday (10:40 SA time) they take on the Waratahs in Sydney and Horak is confident that his players can go through another gruelling 80 minutes.
"The bodies will hold up, we're a tough bunch of lads," said Horak.
"Each guy has a specific role in our defensive structure which everybody is comfortable with."
Horak said last week's game was arguably their best ever defensive effort, which is pleasing for a team known more for its attacking prowess.
"Something that really stands out for me this year is our conditioning. They guys look fitter and stronger. We're succeeding in tackling our opponents backwards."
He did, however, acknowledge that the defensive structure is built around their main strength, which is to attack.
"Running rugby is our trademark and we have to plan around that," said Horak.
The Cheetahs also received good news on Thursday when captain Adriaan Strauss (hooker, ankle), Johan Goosen (flyhalf, illness) and Lappies Labuschagné (flank, hamstring) all passed fitness tests after being unable to train earlier in the week.
Teams:
Waratahs:
15 Israel Folau, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Peter Betham, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Brendan McKibbin, 8 Pat McCutcheon, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 John Ulugia, 1 Benn Robinson
Substitutes: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Mitchell Chapman, 19 Lopeti Timani, 20 Matt Lucas, 21 Ben Volavola, 22 Rob Horne
Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Willie le Roux, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Frans Viljoen, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane
Substitutes: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Coenie Oosthuizen, 18 Landman Ligtoring, 19 Heinrich Brussow, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Riaan Smith, 22 Ryno Benjamin
