Cheetahs prepared to hunt down Zebre in the mud

It is play-offs or bust for the Cheetahs as they set their goals for the EPCR Challenge Cup, with their campaign beginning on Saturday against Zebre in Parma. Kick-off is at 3pm, SA time.

Coach Hawies Fourie said they have noted with interest the improved performances by the Italian team in the United Rugby Championship, including a recent home defeat of the Sharks.

“Last year we reached the final 16 of the competition, and that will be the bare minimum that we will be happy with. It will most probably be much tougher this year,” Fourie said.

“I would ideally like to see us in the quarter-finals, but one will have to work week by week, game by game.”

The Cheetahs know Parma because they used the city as a base in last year’s competition.

Upcoming Match💥
🏆EPCR Challenge Cup

🏉Zebre Parma vs Toyota Cheetahs🏉
📅Saturday, 9 December
⏲️15:00 (SA Time)
🏟️Stadio Sergio Lafranchi, Parma

Live on @SuperSportTV @ChallengeCup_ @ToyotaSA pic.twitter.com/Ua60hpF2kd

— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) December 5, 2023

“It helps a lot to have an idea about the conditions.

“We stayed in Parma quite a bit last year, we were based there as our home ground,” Fourie said.

“So, we are used to the hotel, the field, the training facilities, and the weather.

“We know what to expect. I’ve shown the weather predictions for Friday and Saturday to the squad so they know what awaits us over there. It looks like it is going to rain on Friday and Saturday morning,” the coach said.

There has been no rain in Bloemfontein for some time, but Fourie said that they have tried to simulate wet conditions in training.

“We tried to prep for the wet, but it’s not always easy when it is 35 degrees over here. But mentally we know what to expect and how we want to play.

“I think it would (suit) us best if it rains.

“We have a good pack of forwards, a good kicking game, while our defence is good.

“Those are the things that win games, and it is the three aspects of our game that have become our strong points over the last season or two.”