VIDEO: Steyn on Why Super Rugby is a more attractive option
The Cheetahs, the proverbial red-headed stepchild of the South African game, are still keeping their Super Rugby options open.
Not that they are ungrateful for their European invitations, but they are definitely in need of and exploring alternative options.
Frans Steyn, the Cheetahs’ Director of Rugby, has reiterated the need for his union to have “more regular international competitions”.
On the eve of their third season in the Challenge Cup, Steyn admitted that playing four games (five if they make the play-offs) a year is not ideal.
After the demise of the Cats, the Cheetahs joined the Super 14 in 2006, before the SANZAAR decision to reduce the number of teams from 18 (2016 and 2017) to 15 for 2018 – with the South African Rugby Union deciding to cull the Cheetahs and Southern Kings.
The Cheetahs then broke new ground for South Africa when they joined the previously Northern Hemisphere-exclusive Pro14 competition, but were again discarded when the competition was rebranded as the United Rugby Championship – with Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions South Africa’s entries.
Since 2022, the Cheetahs received invitations to play in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
In the wake of the bankrupt Melbourne Rebels’ axing from the Pacific version of Super Rugby, Steyn revealed his ambitions to head back south.
Speaking ahead of the Cheetahs departure for Amsterdam on Wednesday, the Cheetahs boss pointed out that some French clubs did not want South African teams in ‘their’ competition.
It was a polemical decision that elicited a lot of back-and-forth on both sides of the equator.
(WATCH as Cheetahs Director of Rugby Frans Steyn explains why joining Super Rugby would be a more attractive option for the Bloemfontein-based outfit….)
“I know the French didn’t want us in the European Challenge [competitions],” Steyn said, when asked for his view on the latest edition of the European Professional Club Rugby Champions and Challenge Cup competitions.
The Cheetahs will ‘host’ French club Perpignan in a Challenge Cup Round One fixture at the National Rugby Centre Amsterdam on Sunday.
“You can see how serious the French take the European competitions, as they seldom send their best teams to South Africa,” Steyn said with the brutal honesty he is known for.
However, he quickly steered the ‘conversation’ towards the Super Rugby versus European debate.
“The Cheetahs wouldn’t mind going [returning] to Super Rugby,” the Springbok legend said.
Then he dropped a truth bomb.
“We [Cheetahs] want to play an attacking brand [game].
“[In] Europe you need a big pack of forwards.
“When I played in France, when they [French teams] pitch up it is a very difficult day.
“They are big boys and it can be a tough day.
“For the Free State, we would love getting into Super Rugby,” he said about ongoing discussions that could see them head back south in 2026.
“Alternatively, they need to put us in a permanent competition in the Northern Hemisphere.
“However, playing [just] four games in the north [Europe] and then having to struggle for the rest of the year for game time is not working for us at the moment.”
The Cheetahs, after facing Perpignan in Amsterdam on Sunday, travel to Wales for their next match – against Cardiff at Arms Park on Saturday, December 14.
The Cheetahs return home for their Christmas break, before hosting Zebre at the NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam on Sunday, January 12, and then play Lyon at Matmut Stadium de Gerland on January 18 to complete their league fixtures.
Any further participation – in the Round of 16 and beyond – is dependent on their performances in the league stages.
@king365ed
@rugby365com
* Related articles
Steyn’s alternative for Cheetahs
Why SARU can’t rescue Cheetahs
Go behind the scenes of both camps during the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021. Binge watch exclusively on RugbyPass TV now
