Toyota Cheetahs wider training group assembles
Johan Goosen breaks against the Highlanders in Bloemfontein, 2012. Photo by Denese Lups
Morgan Piek – The Toyota Cheetahs got back to business on Monday as they started their preparations for the 2013 Super Rugby when the wider training group gathered in Bloemfontein. After a bitterly disappointing Absa Currie Cup campaign by the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, Naka Drotskes’ men now shift their attention to Super Rugby along with their neighbours the Griquas.
The central South African Super Rugby franchise have lost numerous players in the past season mainly to overseas clubs. They have been hit especially hard in the second-row department with four of their players leaving South African shores. Another substantial loss has been that of Sias Ebersohn who will be plying his trade in Perth at the Western Force. Despite having a poor 2012, Ebersohn started showing hints of his former self in the latter stages of the Currie Cup and will only be an asset at the Australian franchise.
The biggest and probably the most exciting acquisition is that of former Stormers and Bulls centre, Johann Sadie joining the Cheetahs ranks. Sadie is a quality player who should reach new heights at the Cheetahs as the Cheetahs is probably the suited team for the youngsters brand of rugby. With Sadie practically replacing Andries Strauss who signed with the Southern Kings for 2013, the Cheetahs will most probably have the most dangerous backline in the Super Rugby 2013. A backline consisting of Sarel Pretorius, Piet van Zyl, Johan Goosen, Robert Ebersohn, Raymond Rhule, Willie le Roux, Hennie Daniller, Rayno Benjamin, Nico Scheepers to name a few. Naka Drotske will have sleepless nights when having to pick his matchday backlines due to the abundance of talent available.
The Cheetahs have also assembled a group of quality forwards and could very well be a force to be reckoned with. With names such as Adriaan Strauss, Coenie Oosthuzien, Phillip van der Walt, Boom Prinsloo and Heinrich Brüssow. The Free State Rugby Union and Cheetahs are in talks with Springbok flank Juan Smith who has missed the best part of two years due to an Achillies Tendon injury he picked up in the early stages of the 2011 Super Rugby season. At this stage they along with Smith are busy assessing his injury and a final decision on his comeback will be made within the next three weeks or so.
The Toyota Cheetahs wider training group is:
Forwards: Steph Roberts, Caylib Oosthuizen, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Lourens Adriaanse, Rossouw de Klerk, Ryno Barnes, Adriaan Strauss, Hercu Liebenberg, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Ligtoring Landman, Francois Uys, Andries Ferreira, Edwin Hewitt, Martin Muller, Waltie Vermeulen, Lodewyk de Jager, Marnus Schoeman, Lappies Labuschagné, Heinrich Brüssow, Boom Prinsloo, Justin Downey, Davon Raubenheimer, Philip van der Walt, Leon Karemaker, Tertius Daniller.
Backs: Marnus Hugo, Sarel Pretorius, Pieter van Zyl, Tewis de Bruyn, Johan Goosen, Francois Brummer, Hansie Graaff, Elgar Watts, Barry Geel, Robert Ebersohn, Joubert Engelbrecht, Jean Stemmet, Johann Sadie, JP Nel, Rocco Jansen, Raymond Rhule, Cornal Hendricks, Jannie Boshoff, Dusty Noble, Rayno Benjamin, Nico Scheepers, Willie le Roux, Hennie Daniller, Riaan Smit.
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