CHEETAHS flank Heinrich Brüssow will play a crucial role against the Hurricanes during tonight’s Super Rugby encounter in Bloemfontein, especially in light of the absence of outstanding flank Lappies Labuschagne.
The Cheetahs are ideally placed to top the South African conference and could secure an automatic home playoff match if they continue the good form that has carried them to second on those standings, only two points behind the Bulls.
The Pretoria side enjoy a bye this weekend and will therefore cement their place at the top of the log by virtue of the four points they’ll earn for their week off .
After seven wins in 10 matches, a record season for the Cheetahs, Brüssow and his teammates understand that only a win against the ’Canes will suffice in their efforts to keep pressure on the Bulls.
Brüssow is a talismanic figure and it’s notable that he missed the first two games of the season, which the Cheetahs lost.
But since his return they’ve won seven of eight with the decorated Bok forming a perfectly balanced loose trio alongside Labuschagne and number eight Phillip van der Walt.
Brüssow, who has been a menace at the breakdown all season, will also have to fulfil the ball-carrying role to ensure the Cheetahs get their third ever home win over the Hurricanes in their fifth clash in Bloemfontein.
The Hurricanes love to attack from all over the park, but paid the price by conceding two intercept tries on their way to a 48-14 loss to the Bulls at Loftus.
They’re unlikely to be so cavalier again, especially against a side that has tightened its defence this season.
“They remain a special team that can create tries from anywhere on the field, so our defensive lines from tactical kicking will have to be very good,” Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske said.
“We’ve worked hard on that aspect and our matches against them in the last two years were high-scoring , but our defence has improved a lot since then.”
The Stormers and the Sharks are both in action in Australia with the Cape side up against the Waratahs in Sydney tomorrow and the Durban boys in Brisbane to face the Reds this morning.
The Stormers have a decent record in Australia, having won 12 of their previous 26 matches.
In 15 previous encounters against the Waratahs they’ve won nine, including three out of six in Sydney.
The ’Tahs will look to dangerous runners such as Israel Folau and Cam Crawford to make inroads like they did in last week’s 72-10 drubbing of the Kings, but the Stormers defence is still the best in the Super 15 .
The Sharks have to end a run of four consecutive defeats that has seen them slump from SA conference leaders to stragglers.
It won’t be easy to turn it around against the 2011 champions.
The Sharks have only won eight games from 29 in Australia, two of which have come against the Reds including last year’s play off in Brisbane .
Odwa Ndungane is set to earn his 100th cap if he comes off the bench.
Brüssow key to Cheetahs’ success
The Cheetahs are ideally placed to top the South African conference and could secure an automatic home playoff match if they continue the good form that has carried them to second on those standings, only two points behind the Bulls.
The Pretoria side enjoy a bye this weekend and will therefore cement their place at the top of the log by virtue of the four points they’ll earn for their week off .
After seven wins in 10 matches, a record season for the Cheetahs, Brüssow and his teammates understand that only a win against the ’Canes will suffice in their efforts to keep pressure on the Bulls.
Brüssow is a talismanic figure and it’s notable that he missed the first two games of the season, which the Cheetahs lost.
But since his return they’ve won seven of eight with the decorated Bok forming a perfectly balanced loose trio alongside Labuschagne and number eight Phillip van der Walt.
Brüssow, who has been a menace at the breakdown all season, will also have to fulfil the ball-carrying role to ensure the Cheetahs get their third ever home win over the Hurricanes in their fifth clash in Bloemfontein.
The Hurricanes love to attack from all over the park, but paid the price by conceding two intercept tries on their way to a 48-14 loss to the Bulls at Loftus.
They’re unlikely to be so cavalier again, especially against a side that has tightened its defence this season.
“They remain a special team that can create tries from anywhere on the field, so our defensive lines from tactical kicking will have to be very good,” Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske said.
“We’ve worked hard on that aspect and our matches against them in the last two years were high-scoring , but our defence has improved a lot since then.”
The Stormers and the Sharks are both in action in Australia with the Cape side up against the Waratahs in Sydney tomorrow and the Durban boys in Brisbane to face the Reds this morning.
The Stormers have a decent record in Australia, having won 12 of their previous 26 matches.
In 15 previous encounters against the Waratahs they’ve won nine, including three out of six in Sydney.
The ’Tahs will look to dangerous runners such as Israel Folau and Cam Crawford to make inroads like they did in last week’s 72-10 drubbing of the Kings, but the Stormers defence is still the best in the Super 15 .
The Sharks have to end a run of four consecutive defeats that has seen them slump from SA conference leaders to stragglers.
It won’t be easy to turn it around against the 2011 champions.
The Sharks have only won eight games from 29 in Australia, two of which have come against the Reds including last year’s play off in Brisbane .
Odwa Ndungane is set to earn his 100th cap if he comes off the bench.
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