Cheetahs geared up for Super Rugby opener against Argentina's Jaguares

25 February 2016 - 02:46 By Liam del Carme

While he harbours admiration for how Argentina's top players have reinvented themselves, Cheetahs coach Franco Smith can't wait to see his players turn over a new leaf in Bloemfontein on Friday. Smith's Cheetahs team is remodelled from the one that started last season's Super Rugby competition, and naturally he is keen to see them hit the deck running against the Jaguares, one of the competition's newbies.Toyota Cheetahs vs Jaguareshttps://t.co/40U64Cr0my#NewGeneration#Hilux#ToyotaSA#ToyotaCheetahspic.twitter.com/fbjITmII9S— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) February 24, 2016junkSaid Smith: "What they bring to the game isn't a priority for us. We are playing against ourselves, then the competition and only then the opponents on the day. We want to be better every week."Smith said of Argentina's new style: "We watched the Pumas' games during last year's World Cup and it isn't difficult to see a trend."We know what to expect. There are lots of similarities."They try to subdue you upfront and then they have the ability to take the ball wide."They've had the new mindset for the past two years, since their coach took over."They want to be respected as a rugby power."Cheetahs' starting 15:Clayton Blommetjies; Sergeal Petersen, Francois Venter (captain), William Small-Smith, Raymond Rhule; Fred Zeilinga, Shaun Venter; Niell Jordaan, Uzair Cassiem, Boom Prinsloo; Lood de Jager, Carl Wegner; Maks van Dyk, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Charles Marais. Substitutes: Jacques du Toit, Ox Nche, Luan de Bruin, Reniel Hugo, Henco Venter, Paul Schoeman, Tian Meyer, Niel Marais...

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