THE Cheetahs' disappointment at again going down to the Bulls was tempered by the inclusion of six of their star performers in Heyneke Meyer's inflated Bok squad of 34 for the Four Nations tournament that starts next weekend.
Elusive winger Willie le Roux, hooker Adriaan Strauss, flank Lappies Labuschagne, as well as the trio of props Coenie Oosthuizen, Trevor Nyakane and surprise package Lourens Adriaanse all got the nod.
Le Roux's inclusion will find favour in most quarters and he again underlined his value when he conjured a try when one didn't seem possible against the Bulls. The Bulls ran out 30-25 victors but Le Roux's try kept the hosts in the hunt.
"Willie is an incredible player," said captain Strauss. "I called him at a very specific moment to pass the ball but when he ran back after scoring the try he said 'sorry'. I said to him, 'it's all right'. He's got an x-factor. He's very energetic. He's on the go all the time and he draws players."
Labuschagne's rise has been equally meteoric and a triumph over adversity.
"Three years ago we couldn't offer him any money but he decided to stay one more year," revealed coach Naka Drotske.
"He wanted to play his way up for no money and he did. Getting to the Boks is amazing for him as it is for Trevor Nyakane. He joined our Under-20 team two years ago, he didn't play for the Currie Cup team and now he plays for the Springboks. That's unreal."
Adriaanse's call up is a bolt very few expected. "I think Lourens deserves it, especially when you considered where his game was last year against the Crusaders in Christchurch," said Drotske.
"We had a nightmare in the scrums that day and he had a tough time. He's a quiet bloke but he works incredibly hard and has a high work rate. Our scrums have been good this year."
Drotske said Cheetahs players are finally getting due recognition.
"There used to be a perception when I was playing that you couldn't become a Springbok at the Cheetahs," the coach said. "That's changing."
As much as Drotske said he derived personal satisfaction for the half dozen Cheetahs in the Bok squad, he was desperately disappointed with his team's defeat to the Bulls.
"Their tactical kicking is the best in world with Morne Steyn at flyhalf.
"We couldn't get possession in the first half and our lineout wasn't good. We couldn't finish and you need to finish against the Bulls.
"It is going to be very difficult for us to win the conference.
"Our last game is against the Blues and that will be tough."
Bok call-ups temper Cheetahs loss
THE Cheetahs' disappointment at again going down to the Bulls was tempered by the inclusion of six of their star performers in Heyneke Meyer's inflated Bok squad of 34 for the Four Nations tournament that starts next weekend.
Elusive winger Willie le Roux, hooker Adriaan Strauss, flank Lappies Labuschagne, as well as the trio of props Coenie Oosthuizen, Trevor Nyakane and surprise package Lourens Adriaanse all got the nod.
Le Roux's inclusion will find favour in most quarters and he again underlined his value when he conjured a try when one didn't seem possible against the Bulls. The Bulls ran out 30-25 victors but Le Roux's try kept the hosts in the hunt.
"Willie is an incredible player," said captain Strauss. "I called him at a very specific moment to pass the ball but when he ran back after scoring the try he said 'sorry'. I said to him, 'it's all right'. He's got an x-factor. He's very energetic. He's on the go all the time and he draws players."
Labuschagne's rise has been equally meteoric and a triumph over adversity.
"Three years ago we couldn't offer him any money but he decided to stay one more year," revealed coach Naka Drotske.
"He wanted to play his way up for no money and he did. Getting to the Boks is amazing for him as it is for Trevor Nyakane. He joined our Under-20 team two years ago, he didn't play for the Currie Cup team and now he plays for the Springboks. That's unreal."
Adriaanse's call up is a bolt very few expected. "I think Lourens deserves it, especially when you considered where his game was last year against the Crusaders in Christchurch," said Drotske.
"We had a nightmare in the scrums that day and he had a tough time. He's a quiet bloke but he works incredibly hard and has a high work rate. Our scrums have been good this year."
Drotske said Cheetahs players are finally getting due recognition.
"There used to be a perception when I was playing that you couldn't become a Springbok at the Cheetahs," the coach said. "That's changing."
As much as Drotske said he derived personal satisfaction for the half dozen Cheetahs in the Bok squad, he was desperately disappointed with his team's defeat to the Bulls.
"Their tactical kicking is the best in world with Morne Steyn at flyhalf.
"We couldn't get possession in the first half and our lineout wasn't good. We couldn't finish and you need to finish against the Bulls.
"It is going to be very difficult for us to win the conference.
"Our last game is against the Blues and that will be tough."
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