VIDEO: Cheetahs face yet another uncertain future
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: For years, the Cheetahs have been handled like the stepchild of South African rugby. Now, they once again find themselves staring into an uncertain future.
The Bloemfontein-based side is not among the four South African franchises competing in the United Rugby Championship and has instead had to rely on invitations to the EPCR Challenge Cup over the last two seasons.
And it’s not that they are ungrateful for the invitation; however, in reality, the franchise is in need of exploring other options as well.
The Cheetahs head into the final pool-stage match against Racing 92 after enduring a bitterly disappointing campaign. They lost their opening games against Exeter Chiefs and Stade Français, before last Sunday’s match against Ulster in Amsterdam was snowed out.
In extraordinary scenes, CEOs, coaches, players, volunteers, and die-hard rugby enthusiasts shovelled snow in sub-zero conditions in an attempt to salvage the clash.
However, despite their immense efforts, the fixture scheduled for January 11 was officially cancelled after the pitch in ’s-Hertogenbosch was deemed unplayable and unsafe for players and officials.
“In all the years I’ve played rugby, I’ve never been in such a situation,” Cheetahs head coach Frans Steyn told reporters.
“It was unique and incredibly disappointing.”
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It meant that the match was cancelled and the result was recorded as a 28-0 win for Ulster, handing them five log points.
Subsequently, the forfeit ended the Cheetahs’ hopes of reaching the play-offs.
To make it more unbearable, the side faces another uncertainty regarding next season.
“We’re out of the competition. I think we really gave ourselves a shot at still qualifying before the Ulster game.
“We don’t know what happens next year, if we’re still in or out, or where we’re going.”
Uncertainty is nothing new for the Cheetahs. Since 2016, the franchise has repeatedly been caught on the wrong side of structural changes in the professional game.
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 the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions as South Africa’s entries.
Since 2022, the Cheetahs have received invitations to play in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
With their campaign effectively over, Steyn believes it is crucial for the side to finish on a positive note against a winless Racing 92 outfit.
“We want to go out with a proper performance. If that’s a win, it’s a win. If it’s a loss, it’s a loss.
“But we’re going to go out swinging and play our style of rugby, if I can call it like that.
“We want to win, but we need to be honest with ourselves.”
