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Round 14 sees the seventh-placed Cheetahs play host to the fourth-placed Reds at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein. We’ll have live scores and a blog from 3.10am AEST.
The Cheetahs have won seven of their 11 matches so far in what has been somewhat of a breakout season for a team with a lot of young faces.
One of the consistent performers over the last few seasons for them has been Coenie Oosthuizen, the twice capped Springbok man mountain has shown great speed and power all over the pitch and is fast becoming a cult figure in South Africa.
Expect a big game from him. In the backs Burton Francis has kicked crucial goals at a few times this season and will be looking to pressure the Reds and keep them pinned downfield with his kicking from hand.
The Cheetahs have been full of running so far this season and have been the most entertaining South African side to watch in my opinion.
The Reds are coming off a solid victory over the Sharks in Brisbane and will be looking to get their South African tour underway with a win against a Cheetahs side that should prove to be stiff opposition.
Genia and Cooper are back to their old tricks and that duo will be crucial in orchestrating the Reds try scorers out wide, that being said the forward pack will be the key to success.
As it so often is against South African sides and the likes of Slipper, Horwill and Schatz will need to impose themselves early to set up a platform for the lightning players out wide.
The battle between Brussow and Gill at ruck time should be a spectacle as well.
I expect this to be a cracker of a match full of counter attacking and big clashes at the breakdown!
I am backing the Reds to come out on top but it will be no walk in the park against such a resilient Cheetahs side, so I say Reds by less than seven.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.