The Toyota Cheetahs’ Currie Cup title defence came to a grinding halt on Saturday after losing to the in-form Lions in a pulsating semi-final at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. The Lions booked a home final for the first time in nine years, but there was certainly no lack of effort on the side of the Cheetahs as they went down 43-34. In all fairness, the Lions are absolutely deserving of hosting the final, and to go on and clinch the title for the first time since 2019.
The mere fact that the Cheetahs managed to give themselves a chance, especially after three consecutive defeats in a crucial stage of the competition, is a feat in its own right.
The passionate Director of Rugby at the Cheetahs, Frans Steyn, told Bloemfontein Courant that despite being knocked out, they have taken a big step in the right direction and he remains proud of what they have achieved.
“The players are tired and gone – there was nothing left out there on the field, so how can one be disappointed?” said Steyn.
“For me, I’m proud of the guys, they gave it their all. There were mistakes and stuff like that … but that’s rugby. We want to play that type of brand. We don’t want to go into the semi-final and start mauling and play that kind of rugby. It’s going to take some time to get that right, but judging by the last two weeks, it was a huge step in the right direction.”
While it is incredibly difficult for the Cheetahs to compete against the so-called bigger unions as they only have the Currie Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup to play in at a high level, it would appear that work is being done behind the scenes which may spell a brighter future for the Cheetahs.
There is the much-talked-about equity deal which, according to an insider, is close to being finalised. Then there is also a possibility of the Free State returning to an international competition in the not-too-distant future. Steyn indicated that he is in discussions to see the Cheetahs competing against teams from the southern hemisphere again, and believes this will be good news not only for them, but South African rugby too.
“I am pushing hard to go south,” said Steyn.
“Politics is a massive thing in rugby and I am starting to learn it as I go. It is flipping tough – we are out for 2025 and I am actually lucky we are not going because I told people we will pay for our own flights and their flights. So, I am relieved we are not in. Otherwise, I would have had to find money and probably start robbing banks or something.
“But there is an ongoing chat – I just hope the politics in rugby must not block us. We will do our own thing and we will find people who want to support us. But we must just not be blocked.
“I think if we go south, it will be good for South Africa and it will be good for the Currie Cup. If two or three teams go south then we will have a North versus South Currie Cup competition. I am working on it, but there is a lot of politics and stuff going on, so we will have to wait and see.”
For now, the Cheetahs’ focus turns to the Toyota Challenge which will kick off in October where they will tackle the Western Force, Griffons, and Emerging Ireland side in Bloemfontein. This will be followed by a mandatory eight-week break, and then the EPCR Challenge Cup. – MORGAN PIEK
