THE Cheetahs are trying to lure Force flyhalf Sias Ebersohn back to Bloemfontein after he showed them just what they’ve been missing at the weekend.
Ebersohn starred in the Force’s 23-16 win over the Cheetahs at the Free State Stadium on Saturday, showing up his more fancied opposite number Johan Goosen in the process.
It was sweet revenge for Ebersohn, who was pushed out by an emerging Goosen in 2012 before packing his bags for Perth at the end of that year.
Cheetahs backline coach Hawies Fourie said head coach Naka Drotske approached the 25-year-old about a return to Kings Way but it remained unclear whether Ebersohn was ready to come back home.
“Naka has made him an offer and we are trying to get him back,” said Fourie.
“He hasn’t accepted the offer yet and I’m not sure if he will because he has other offers as well.
“It is not simply a case of making the guy an offer and him coming back. He is weighing up his options and will have to look at what move is best for him. He has to decide which is the best for his career between playing here in SA and playing overseas.”
Goosen has proven injury prone and, although Elgar Watts has held the fort steadily, Drotske craved the solidity Ebersohn has given the Force this year.
Ebersohn has helped the Force to fifth on the Super Rugby standings and just three points behind the Brumbies in the Australian conference, with a game in hand on the Canberra men.
He has garnered 105 points for the season’s most improved team including one touchdown.
Fourie watched with admiration and marvel as his former apprentice grew from a tactical gambler to a sure bet.
“He has improved his tactical decision-making. He now knows when to attack, when to play a closed game and when to kick,” said Fourie.
“He was always a running flyhalf and he forced the issue sometimes but now he is tactically sound.
“He has the passing and the vision you need from a good number 10 and his kicking game, which held him back a bit, has also now improved. He is close to being a complete flyhalf.”
Why, then, did they let him go?
“Game time is always the thing that makes or breaks you – if you’re playing you’re in the spotlight and you are getting better, which is not the case if you’re sitting on the sidelines.
“At the Cheetahs Ebersohn was competing with Goosen and didn’t get a lot of game time
“He decided to join a team where there was a good chance he would be the starting flyhalf.
“Even at the Force, he wasn’t their first choice. They started the season with Zack Holmes but Sias got an opportunity and was never left out again.
“He improved his own game and when I spoke to him after last weekend’s game he told me he knew he was not the favourite with the Force coaches.
“They told him he’d be second choice. He worked hard to get into the starting lineup.”
Come home Sias, all is forgiven
Ebersohn starred in the Force’s 23-16 win over the Cheetahs at the Free State Stadium on Saturday, showing up his more fancied opposite number Johan Goosen in the process.
It was sweet revenge for Ebersohn, who was pushed out by an emerging Goosen in 2012 before packing his bags for Perth at the end of that year.
Cheetahs backline coach Hawies Fourie said head coach Naka Drotske approached the 25-year-old about a return to Kings Way but it remained unclear whether Ebersohn was ready to come back home.
“Naka has made him an offer and we are trying to get him back,” said Fourie.
“He hasn’t accepted the offer yet and I’m not sure if he will because he has other offers as well.
“It is not simply a case of making the guy an offer and him coming back. He is weighing up his options and will have to look at what move is best for him. He has to decide which is the best for his career between playing here in SA and playing overseas.”
Goosen has proven injury prone and, although Elgar Watts has held the fort steadily, Drotske craved the solidity Ebersohn has given the Force this year.
Ebersohn has helped the Force to fifth on the Super Rugby standings and just three points behind the Brumbies in the Australian conference, with a game in hand on the Canberra men.
He has garnered 105 points for the season’s most improved team including one touchdown.
Fourie watched with admiration and marvel as his former apprentice grew from a tactical gambler to a sure bet.
“He has improved his tactical decision-making. He now knows when to attack, when to play a closed game and when to kick,” said Fourie.
“He was always a running flyhalf and he forced the issue sometimes but now he is tactically sound.
“He has the passing and the vision you need from a good number 10 and his kicking game, which held him back a bit, has also now improved. He is close to being a complete flyhalf.”
Why, then, did they let him go?
“Game time is always the thing that makes or breaks you – if you’re playing you’re in the spotlight and you are getting better, which is not the case if you’re sitting on the sidelines.
“At the Cheetahs Ebersohn was competing with Goosen and didn’t get a lot of game time
“He decided to join a team where there was a good chance he would be the starting flyhalf.
“Even at the Force, he wasn’t their first choice. They started the season with Zack Holmes but Sias got an opportunity and was never left out again.
“He improved his own game and when I spoke to him after last weekend’s game he told me he knew he was not the favourite with the Force coaches.
“They told him he’d be second choice. He worked hard to get into the starting lineup.”
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