To kick off this week I must say well done to the Sharks, I think you know more than anyone else as you got away with murder on Saturday night – even though your second half was a lot better than ours.  I’m not one of those rugby fans that always blames the ref, but Mr Jonker, jo jo jo?

The appointment of a new coaching staff to the Proteas actually holds some valuable lessons for all rugby fans and administrators alike.

This brings me to my point of sanity. I really hope that the Toyota Cheetahs’ management team and coaching staff take some pointers from Cricket South Africa and learn from the “great” campaign the Cheetahs had in the 2011 Vodacom Super Rugby competition.

We should build on what we’ve achieved this year, including the coaching staff and players. Let’s not all shout for the coach’s head on a block – that’s typical South African sports mentality. Let’s keep the core of our group and LEARN from our mistakes.

Why did we have so many injuries, was it bad luck or poor planning in our pre-season conditioning program? I seriously can’t think it’s all down to bad luck.

Let’s be honest with each other, learn from our mistakes and also learn from what stopped our progress in the 2011 campaign. There were so MANY positive performances from this team as well. For once, Juan Smith (although we surely miss him) was not the ONLY outstanding player in the group – there are actually too many to mention, some playing Vodacom Cup at the start of the 2011 Vodacom Super Rugby campaign.

So here is to hoping common sense and sanity will prevail. Toyota Cheetah’s please make informative decisions for next year.  I promise that if you do we’ll end in the top 6. This honest declaration is simply based on the brand of rugby we’ve dished up this year.

Sorry I am a week to early with my comment on the Storm becoming a sea breeze.....but be forewarned!

Wise words from a pure bred Free State supporter. Wouldn't it be great if we can get the financial support in Cheetah rugby that will allow us the conditioning program we need. I agree that if we wrap a couple of the stars of the season in cotton wool and provide them some incentives, you will see a totally different Cheetah team in next year's campaign. It is very exciting to think about it, but I reckon the time for the Cheetah to shine in Super Rugby is nearing.

As for the weekend, we need to get back to game we played against the Saders and the Rebels. I almost get the impression that we think the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers are better than the Saders and that we loose all self belief that we can play the same type of game in local darbys. Boys just get your self belief back and I am sure the Storm will turn into a light sea breeze.

Cheetah till I die! Nag ou grote!