Cronje: Cheetahs have the players to do well in Pro14

REACTION: Golden Lions captain Ross Cronje believes the Free State Cheetahs will be a force in the 2019/2020 Pro14 season.

The Cheetahs beat the Lions 31-28 in Saturday's Currie Cup Final and Cronje believes his team were tactically outsmarted during large periods of the game.

"I think they have the players to do very well in the Pro14," said Cronje.

"They [Cheetahs] showed it today [Saturday] with their mauling and stopping our maul. That is where they were very strong and I think that was one of the differences between the sides.

"Obviously with Northern Hemisphere rugby that is very important and their tactical play and playmakers were very good as well."

Cronje said his team struggled to get quality ball at the Free State Stadium.

"It was definitely intense.

"I think the Cheetahs did well to slow our ball down a bit, especially in the first half and I think that was pretty much the difference,” Cronje added.

@rugby365com