Steep learning curve for Franco's Cheetahs

While most coaches are already concerning themselves with the complex new Super Rugby format and the additional demands on players, Petrus Francois Smith is quiteky rebuilding the Cheetahs from the ground up.

Although Smith had two games as Cheetahs coach when he took over from Naka Drotske at the end of last season, 2016 is effectively his first full season.

And he could not have asked for a tougher 'debut'.

Having been expanded to 18 teams, the Cheetahs – like all other teams – are faced with 15 rounds of league matches from February 26 to July 16, with two buys and the June break.

Smith, who took the Shimlas to the Varsity Cup title last year, admitted it will be a steep learning curve for him and his team.

However, his goals is not conference or Super Rugby titles, but rather the growth of the game in the Free State.

"I am realistic," Smith told rugby365, when asked about the season, now just a month away.

"I was involved [last two games of 2015] before," he said, adding: "I know that every year all coaches get out the blocks with great enthusiasm and then cold water gets poured on some of us.

"That is why I want to be as realistic as possible, but it is a great privilege to be part of a competition like this.

"I am looking forward to us measuring ourselves against the best of the Southern Hemisphere."

He immediately played down the question of expectations.

"That is where our approach is different – we are not setting goals in terms of where we want to finish on the standings, because that puts unnecessary pressure on the players.

"We are going to try and perform as best as we can, we are certainly not here just to make up the numbers. It may be cliched, but we are going to take it week-by-week.

"I don't want there to be expectations created that they should achieve at a certain level.

"There are a lot of young players, most of whom are in their first Super Rugby tournament. Some of them have not even played in all the stadiums in South Africa, let alone playing abroad.

"If we put any additional pressure on ourselves, we will be setting ourselves up for failure."

He said they will hope to learn every week and apply those lessons to their game the next week.

"Super Rugby has a very different intensity, which you don't get in other competitions, so that is why it is vital to get our conditioning as high as possible.

"Then we have to ensure we maintain our intensity in games. It is important to put that conditioning into the game, the technical aspects. It is one thing to be conditioned, but another thing to maintain your intensity for the entire match and get all the new things and way of playing right."

He admitted the latest expansion will put additional demands on the players and it will be a juggling act to ensure a team's resources is not completely depleted in the latter part of the season.

"That is why we have a squad of 54 players taking part in the pre-season," Smith told rugby365, adding: "While a lot of them are not at Super Rugby level yet, it is important to expose them to that level to ensure that they can train at that intensity and ensure that if they are called upon they are familiar with what awaits them.

"It is also vital how we manage the players. We have to ensure they can all contribute without compromising the performance of the team.

"It is a challenge for me, but it is important for the growth of the game here in Bloemfontein and the Free State and that is why I am embracing the challenge."

The Cheetahs said the Currie Cup, which nows runs concurrently with Super Rugby from April to July, is going to play a vital role in keeping the players in shape.

"It gives you an opportunity to get players, who you want to interchange in the Super Rugby squad, to get them match fit and up to speed.

"You can also use it for players coming back from injury and to regain form for other players.

"It will play a crucial role here in the Free State, where our club rugby is very limited.

"That is why we use these opportunities to develop the players and prepare."

Smith said Springbok Teboho Mohojé, who suffered a knee injury while training with the SA Sevens team late last year, is another month or so away from returning to the playing field.

However, he is the only player likely to miss the start of the season.

The Cheetahs have lost a lot of experienced players – most notable losses include Coenie Oosthuizen (to Sharks), Heinrich Brüssow (back to Japan), Jean Cook (to Zebre), Sarel Pretorius (to Newport Gwent Dragons), Joe Pietersen (to Sharks), Elgar Watts (to Eastern Province Kings), Johann Sadie (to Agen), Cornal Hendricks (to Stormers), Willie le Roux (to Sharks).

Their most notable recruits are Aranos Coetzee (from Brive), Neil Rautenbach (from the Stormers),  Sias Ebersohn (from the Western Force), Fred Zeilinga (from the Sharks) and William Small-Smith (from the Bulls).

By Jan de Koning

@King365ed

@rugby365com