VIDEO - Frans Steyn to critics: 'Use my name'
SPOTLIGHT: Cheetahs Director of Rugby Frans Steyn admitted that his team is experiencing some ‘growing pains’ after they suffered their second consecutive home defeat in the Currie Cup.
The Bloemfontein side can’t afford any slip-ups over the next few weeks in the race for a play-off spot after the Lions recorded a 38-21 win at the Free State Stadium on Saturday.
That result follows the 20-25 Round Seven defeat to the Sharks at the same venue a week earlier.
The Cheetahs are currently fourth in the standings with just two rounds left to play before the semifinals.
The story continues below…
“We are making mistakes,” Steyn told reporters after the match.
“I think we kept the ball for 16 phases at one stage, but the thing is we need to keep the ball for 16 phases and then go and score.
“Six months ago, we couldn’t keep the ball for three phases.
“We want to play an attacking brand of rugby. There are growing pains at the moment.
“We can’t fault the effort in the second half and the guys tried until the end.
“The team is trying things. It’s not nice, it’s going to be a tough week.
“We are going to Griquas and it is going to be tough, but that is rugby.”
He added: “My message to the squad after the game was that there are worse things out there than this.
“We need to get ourselves back on this horse.
“Two weeks ago, we played a brilliant game against Western Province. We’ve got it, and we just need to put the pieces together.
“The time is running out and that is why I am here [facing the media] as well.
“I am the Director of Rugby, so if you want to talk about something on social media use my name, not my coach’s name.”
After this latest result, it also seems unlikely the Cheetahs can book a home semifinal next month.
“I’ve been a Cheetah all my life and what would be better than to be in a semi away from home and go and play the Final away from home,” said Steyn
“Yes. it is going to cost us money and I am probably going to hear it on Monday, but I know the Cheetahs and we will fight and work our a***s off until we get to the Final.
“We still want to win. At the moment it is a difficult learning curve that we are going through, but we have to fix it.”
One year to go until the Women’s Rugby World Cup!
With exactly one year to go until Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025 kicks off in Sunderland, excitement is sweeping across the host nation in anticipation of what will be the biggest and most accessible celebration of women’s rugby ever. Register now for the ticket presale.
