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Bloemfontein - Springbok flank Teboho "Oupa" Mohoje was delighted with his achievements in 2014, but strongly believes he can't rest on his laurels if he wants to achieve his goals this season.
Mohoje experienced an amazing rise through the South African rugby ranks in 2014. He first captained Shimlas during the Varsity Cup before his impressive form saw him picked for the Cheetahs in the Vodacom Cup and Super Rugby.
His notable performances during Super Rugby saw him receive a surprise call-up to the Springbok squad in June, and he went on to play in seven Tests.
Mohoje said he still looks back to last season's fond memories, but stressed that he still has a lot more to offer.
"What happened last season isn't going to have an impact on what happens this season. I need to ensure my level of performances continue to improve, especially if I want to add to my progress and achievements," Mohoje told MyPlayers.co.za.
"My main focus right now is doing well for the Cheetahs. I want to ensure I play well for the team consistently, and I believe everything else will follow that. With it being a World Cup year, there is definitely a lot of motivation to perform."
The Cheetahs recently lost 30-13 to the Bulls in a Super Rugby friendly in Polokwane, and will take on the Stormers at Newlands in their second warm-up game this weekend.
Mohoje, who didn't get to play against the Bulls because of a minor groin injury suffered during pre-season, believes the Cheetahs are making positive progress.
"The result wasn't a fair reflection on the game. It was a tight contest before we conceded a few late tries in the second half," said Mohoje. "It was our first competitive game this year, so we learned what areas still need work and what we did well.
"We did really well at the scrums as Coenie Oosthuizen and Danie Mienie made an impact up front for us. We were also solid at the lineouts.
"Sarel Pretorius and Joe Pietersen, who are two of our experienced players in the squad this season, managed the team well at scrumhalf and flyhalf respectively, which was a great sign of things to come.
"The Cheetahs have a good blend of experience, especially with the likes of Heinrich Brussow and Johann Sadie still coming back. We have a talented group of players going into Super Rugby, so there's a lot of confidence."
Friday's pre-season clash between the Stormers and Cheetahs at Newlands kicks off at 19:00.
Teams:
Stormers:
15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Juan de Jongh (vice-captain), 12 Huw Jones, 11 Dillyn Leyds, 10 Demetri Catrakilis, 9 Nic Groom, 8 Duane Vermeulen (captain), 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Rynhardt Elstadt, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Alistair Vermaak, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Jean Kleyn, 21 Neil Rautenbach, 22 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 23 Louis Schreuder, 24 Kurt Coleman, 25 Johnny Kotze, 26 Robert du Preez, 27 EW Viljoen
Cheetahs:
15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 JP du Plessis, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Danie Dames, 10 Willie du Plessis, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Willie Britz (captain), 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Jean Cook, 5 Carl Wegner, 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Ewald van der Westhuizen, 2 Martin Bezuidenhout, 1 Caylib Oosthuizen
Substitutes: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Danie Mienie, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Francois Uys, 20 Lodewyk de Jager, 21 Tienie Burger, 22 Shaun Venter, 23 Francois Brummer, 24 Francois Venter, 25 Raymond Rhule, 26 Willie le Roux
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