The Cheetahs will be chasing the scalp of Section Paloise (Pau), when the two teams clash in the grand final of the Challenge Cup pool match at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma, Italy on Sunday evening (kick-off 17:15).
It means a knockout game between the two sides, the winner advances to the round of 16 and the loser is out of the competition.
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The Cheetahs started their Challenge Cup campaign well with a win against Pau in France, but then lost to the Scarlets, which resulted in a match-winner.
“There’s a really good vibe in the squad. Everyone’s really looking forward to Sunday’s game and we know it’s a knockout game,” Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie said.
“If we win, we will qualify for the next round and if not, Pau will qualify. So there is a feeling of a semi-final around. But we have prepared well this week and a good week on the training ground, so everyone is excited.
Second half inspiration
In the previous match against Pau Cheetahs they trailed at half time after a subdued performance, before an inspired second half effort saw them change their game to another attacking style which helped them fight back to win 21-16.
I think the same style as that seen in the second half of the game is expected to show there.
“Pau’s (first) game we had Frans (Steyn) at fullback with a good kicking game, then he got injured. So we had to change the way we played because he pulled a hammy and couldn’t play as usual in the second half,” explained Fourie.
“The conditions were pretty good that day, so it wasn’t difficult to switch to play a more attacking game, which worked in the second half.
“This weekend the forecast is a bit cold, but no rain. You will be able to handle the ball well and stay through many phases to apply pressure. So we will go that route, play an attacking brand on Sunday and try to win the game mentioned.