'We need to make a step-up' says Hawies Fourie

REACTION: Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie was not a happy man after the Cheetahs’ victory over Western Province in Bloemfontein on Saturday, saying his side needs to make a step up going into the next three weeks.

The Cheetahs are top of the Currie Cup log with 31 points, followed by the Pumas (20), the Sharks (23) and Western Province (21) and they have won six out of their eight matches.

But despite this, Fourie climbed into his players for their lacklustre performances, especially during the first half of their last few matches.

“I am definitely not satisfied. We have to be switched on, especially at home,” the coach said after the game.

“We haven’t played well enough for a while now and I will sort it out.

“Again the last 30 minutes of the first half was not good enough.

“We start slow and it is a bad habit.”

(Continue below ...)

He also spoke about the slump in flyhalf Siyabonga Masuku’s performance, who was replaced in the 47th minute. Masuku had a torrid time, losing the ball in contact and making poor decisions.

“Yes, Siya was not on song and it definitely affected us. He has to make the step up because we need him at his best.

“My job as a coach is to help him. At the moment he is under par and I will help him,” Fourie said.

Fourie said one of the stand-out players in his side was George Cronje, who won two turnovers for his side. “He was one of the few that played well, there weren’t many.”

According to Fourie, he needs players like Aranos Coetzee and Jeandre Rudolf fit and ready as soon as possible.

“If they are back, we will have a decent pack of forwards and a bomb squad.

“In my opinion, all of us have to make a huge step up in the next two to three weeks.”

The Cheetahs host the Lions in Bloemfontein on May 13.