Cheetahs coach hopes for more Euro doors
REACTION: Head coach Hawies Fourie hopes that the Cheetahs’ recent run in the European Challenge Cup will open more ‘doors’ to international competitions.
The Cheetahs featured in their first big Europan play-off match on Saturday.
Although the Bloemfontein side’s campaign came to an end courtesy of a 21-36 defeat to Toulon, the side put up a brave fight against the three-time Champions Cup winners in France.
Trailing 0-19 at the break, the South African side got into the contest and scored three tries.
“A game of mixed emotions,” Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie told reporters in the wake of the defeat.
“We played well. Had two early chances in the first half with Teboho Mohoje on the tryline and the other one with our maul, but failed to register any points.
“And just before the break, they scored a questionable try, when the No.9 [Benoit Paillaugue] snipped past Gideon van der Merwe, who was clearly held back.
“So it was small things that dictated the momentum of the match.
“But I am proud we played quality rugby and scored three tries in the second half.”
*Article continues below…
Fourie added: “In all five of our Challenge Cup matches, we outscored the opponents in the second half.
“And that makes me just really proud.”
The Cheetahs have delivered a great campaign. Participating as an ‘invitational’ team, the Cheetahs were based in Parma and managed to reach the knockout stage.
They beat French club Section Paloise (better known as Pau) 21-16 (in Round One in December) and 9-6 (in Round Four in January). They twice lost to the Scarlets (26-45 in December and 17-20 in January) but collected two bonus points to advance to the Round of 16.
“I commend the team on how they navigated this European matches on this level,” Fourie said.
“If we play more competitions like this and are exposed to this type of opposition we will become a much bigger and stronger team.
“So we really hope that more European doors [like the Challenge Cup] will open in the near future.”
#NEWS: @ChallengeCup_ quarterfinals dates and kick-offs! https://t.co/XyTb34s1OB
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) April 2, 2023
