Beware of Bloem

Beware of Bloem

2 Feb 2006

Bloemfontein could be the graveyard for visiting Super 14 teams, according to Cheetahs manager Naka Drotske.

The former Free State captain, who lifted the Currie Cup at Loftus last year, warned visiting teams that they would have to fight for every point when playing in Bloemfontein.

“I’ve never met a rugby player who enjoys coming here,” he said on Boots & All. “Players from overseas really don’t like it.

“It’s great to start off with five games in South Africa – I guess you could say we have the perfect draw. I’m also pleased that we tour late in the competition, which gives our youngsters a chance to settle down.”

While the Cheetahs are still savouring their Currie Cup victory, Drotske has warned his team to expect a far tougher challenge in the Super 14.

“I’ve told them that the Super 14 is nothing like the Currie Cup,” he said, before commenting on the threat of relegation. “I think the pressure’s on the other SA franchises more than us. They’ve budgeted to play Super 14 rugby, for us it’s almost a bonus.”

The Cheetahs, like the Force, are expected to be the whipping boys of the Super 14, but Drotske believes the youngsters in the team will stand up and be counted.

“I’m very excited about the talented players we have in the squad,” he said. “I expect at least four or five of our youngsters to show why they will play for the Springboks one day.”

The Cheetahs kick off their Super 14 campaign at home against the Bulls next Friday night, before taking on the Sharks at King’s Park.


13 Comments

  • 1.adoons: Reply to this comment
    2 Feb 2006, 20:40 pm

    I really hope so Mr.Drotske.

    Because the Southern Spears youngsters misfired!

  • 2.KSA Shark: Reply to this comment
    2 Feb 2006, 20:50 pm

    I am extremely glad we are playing these guys in Durban and not Bloem.

    Make no mistake they (Cheetahs) will not be the whipping boys. I think a top 8 finish can be expected

  • 3.Hier kom groot k..: Reply to this comment
    2 Feb 2006, 22:46 pm

    As long as it is the graveyard of everyone except the Bulls, I will be a very happy camper. I think we’re gonna have a pretty interesting season and every team will have its’ ups & downs.

  • 4.out wide: Reply to this comment
    2 Feb 2006, 23:15 pm

    Sorry, Hkgk a whole lot of us disagree. Go Cheetahs – relive the CC final, give the Bullie Boys another rugby lesson and make our day.

  • 5.Anvil: Reply to this comment
    3 Feb 2006, 03:27 am

    Out Wide,

    Now your talking utter ****.CC and S14 are two different styles of rugga.So dont blow the orange horn just yet.CC success rarely transpires to S12/14 success.As for the Bully Boys,dont you worry,the Cheetahs will be hard pressed to deliver and the pressure is squarely on them now.Will be interesting to see if they can live up to the hype.

    But then again,well and good if all our venues could be considered graveyards for any visting team.Its about time we repaid those Antipodeans with interest.

  • 6.wls: Reply to this comment
    3 Feb 2006, 06:45 am

    Yeah our sieds should build on the BOKKE making it a horrible place to to come play in.
    I think the Cheetahs will suprise, Bulls strong as ever, Sharks and Stomers for the bottom spot.
    Cats to squeek into middle of table.

  • 7.Methos: Reply to this comment
    3 Feb 2006, 08:35 am

    I think the Cheetahs will do better than expected in the S14. They have a good management team, a tactically astute coach and a good young side with a few expierienced campaigners in Os, Ollie and CJ.

    Rassie had a good idea to take them overseas to play the Force. They are better prepared.
    If they manage to make Bloem a graveyard for visiting teams they might be semi contenders.

    Here’s to hoping.

    Cheers

  • 8.RedL: Reply to this comment
    3 Feb 2006, 09:12 am

    Well I will be in Bloem for the Bulls / Cheetahs match and it will be interesting to see how the match pans out.

    I agree with HGK, as long as the Bulls win there and the rest all crash and burn.
    I like the cheetahs and hope, should they lose to the bulls (and I sincerely hope and believe they will), their season won’t be affected. we need all our teams to be firing and smashing the foreigners

  • 9.gecko: Reply to this comment
    3 Feb 2006, 10:40 am

    ‘Bloem could be a graveyard’ – damn right. They’ll all die of boredom.

  • 10.Oranje Orakel: Reply to this comment
    3 Feb 2006, 11:51 am

    perceptions Gecko, perceptions

    boredom is relative-

    But please enlighten us Free Staters

    what do “you” do not to be bored- as it seems that you need something to spice up your existence

  • 11.munkiboi: Reply to this comment
    3 Feb 2006, 13:02 pm

    Lets hope they manage to get some people out to fill the stadium this year.

    Its been a graveyard indeed the last few years – deserted every time the Cats came into town. Its been a happy hunting ground as a result for most teams that have visited Bloem.

  • 12.Original Pierre: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2006, 15:23 pm

    The Cheetahs have got the sharks` number, they`ve proved that last year. I don`t think the cheetahs will finish last this year. It`s between the sharks and the cats. Interestingly I saw on sabookmaker.com the cats are favourites for the wooden spoon?

  • 13.BrumbyIV: Reply to this comment
    4 Feb 2006, 15:47 pm

    most free state games i have seen the stands have been empty.

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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