Cheetahs' Euro future 'up in the air'
INTERVIEW: The Cheetahs will feature in their first big European play-off match when they face Toulon in the Round of 16 on Saturday.
However, their European future beyond the current season remains up in the air.
EPCR Chairman Dominic McKay said the Cheetahs performed ‘remarkably well’ in their first season in Europe.
Having been invited – unlike the Stormers, Bulls, Sharks and Lions who qualified through the United Rugby Championship – the Cheetahs also had to base themselves in Italy and played their ‘home games’ at Parma’s Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
Despite the extraordinary conditions that came with their ‘invite’, they qualified for the knock-out stages.
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.
“They joined the European family late on,” McKay told @rugby365com.
The EPCR boss said they are currently “reviewing” their formats for both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.
“Depending on how those format discussions develop, we will be in a better position to answer questions about the future of teams like the Cheetahs.”
He added that the Cheetahs have been brilliant and added real value and “something special” to the competition.
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“We are proud to have the South African teams join our family,” McKay said.
“At the end of the season, we will sit down and see what the future holds.”
He added that is unlikely that other teams – like the Currie Cup champion Pumas and beaten finalists Griquas – would enter European competitions in the near future unless they are included in the URC and qualify through that competition.
“However, it is possible in the future – depending on whether we expand out competitions or not – that we can look at adding additional teams.”
The South African franchise face a tough assignment at the Stade Félix Mayol on Saturday.
The Cheetahs advanced from Pool B to face French giants Toulon, who enjoyed an impressive Pool A campaign – as they recorded four wins from four, defeating Zebre and Bath both home and away to qualify as the top-seeded team.
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