The Western Force will bank on stability to overcome unpredictability when they take on the Cheetahs in Saturday night’s Super Rugby clash in Bloemfontein.
The Force are riding high in fifth spot following a dream start to the season, and their finals hopes will get a massive boost if they can beat the lowly Cheetahs and Stormers on their two-game South African tour.
The Cheetahs sit last on the table after managing just two wins and a draw from 11 games.
Over their past eight outings, they’ve leaked an average of 4.5 tries per game, but they also boast an impressive array of scoring options.
Only the Hurricanes and Chiefs have scored more tries than the Cheetahs’ 29 this season.
The Force have only conceded 17 tries – the second-best record in the competition – and skipper Matt Hodgson hopes the team’s steely defence will nullify the Cheetahs’ attack.
“They’re definitely an unpredictable side,” Hodgson said of the Cheetahs, who boast a three-match winning streak against the Force.
“On turnover ball, they don’t mind chipping it. We’ve put a few things in place where hopefully we can nullify that.
“We definitely have to get our defence right and stop them scoring because, once they start scoring, they get their confidence back and their game comes together.”
The Force, fresh from last week’s bye, have named the same 23-man squad who beat the Bulls 15-9 a fortnight ago.
The Cheetahs have been bolstered by the return of Springboks Johan Goosen and Coenie Oosthuizen to their run-on side.
“The Cheetahs present a different challenge to other South Africa sides,” Force coach Michael Foley said.
“While they use their set piece and kicking game as a weapon, they also play with width.
“If we maintain our work rate and discipline in defence as a 15, we will earn important opportunities to attack from turnover ball.”
Flyhalf Sias Ebersohn will play in Bloemfontein for the first time since leaving the Cheetahs at the end of 2012, while lock Wilhelm Steenkamp will also appear against his former side.
The Force are chasing their first win in Bloemfontein since 2008, when they edged out the Cheetahs 16-15.
Force: Force: Jayden Hayward, Dane Haylett-Petty, Marcel Brache, Kyle Godwin, Nick Cummins, Sias Ebersohn, Ian Prior, Ben McCalman, Matt Hodgson (capt), Angus Cottrell, Sam Wykes, Adam Coleman, Kieran Longbottom, Nathan Charles, Pek Cowan. Res: Heath Tessmann, Tetera Faulkner, Ollie Hoskins, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Brynard Stander, Justin Turner, Zack Holmes, Chris Tuatara-Morrison
Cheetahs: Hennie Daniller, Raymond Rhule, Johann Sadie, Rayno Benjamin, Willie Le Roux; Johan Goosen, Sarel Pretorius; Boom Prinsloo, Teboho Mohoje, Heinrich Brussow; Francois Jakobus Uys, Andries Ferreira; Coenie Oosthuizen, Adriaan Strauss (capt), Caylib Oosthuizen. Res: Torsten van Jaarsveld, Trevor Nyakane, Maks Van Dyk, Carel Greeff, Shaun Venter, Elgar Watts, Cornal Hendricks.