VIDEO: Steyn aims to get Cheetahs out of rugby wilderness

VIDEO: The Cheetahs’ Director of Rugby, Frans Steyn, is working hard behind the scenes to get his side playing international rugby again, if politics don’t interfere.

Following their defeat in the semifinal of the Currie Cup against the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday, the two-time World Cup-winning Springbok said he believes they have the quality of players to compete internationally after they’ve been in the wilderness for so long.

“I think the biggest thing is not being in a big competition. I came here [Johannesburg] today with the belief we have a very good team,” Steyn said.

“If we had to go to the Bulls or Sharks next week, I believe we have a good enough team.

“But I don’t know if the players believe as strongly as I believe in them. If we can play week in and week out, that belief grows. Look where the Lions are,” the Cheetahs rugby boss said.

“I am proud. I am still proud to be a Cheetah. We always knew it going to be tough coming here. People forget how good this Lions side has been throughout the Currie Cup.”

Steyn revealed that he has been working hard to get people to support the Cheetahs in their endeavors to play top-class rugby again.

“There is an ongoing chat. I just hope the politics in rugby do 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.”

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The Cheetahs were removed from Super Rugby in 2017 to accommodate South Africa’s other “big four” franchises.

This removal would force the Bloemfontein side to look further afield for opportunities.

They finally found a new home in the northern hemisphere’s Pro14. Still, despite being the trailblazers for South African Rugby, the Cheetahs would later be dumped from the competition when it became the United Rugby Championship as the Super Rugby franchises were offered the four South African slots.

Since then, the Free State team has been searching for international competition. Apart from their invitation to the EPCR Challenge Cup, the Cheetahs have largely relied on the Currie Cup and their own Challenge Series to stay competitive.

“I am pushing hard to go south,” said Steyn.

“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.”

“Politics is a massive thing in rugby and I am starting to learn it as I go.

“It’s 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’ve had to find money and probably start robbing banks or something.

“But there is an ongoing chat.”