The Cheetahs have historically been the fourth best franchise in the South African conference, stretching from their first season in 1997 to being reintroduced in 2006 after the Cats were disbanded, all the way to the current 2015 season.
They have only reached the Super Rugby playoffs once, when they marked 2013 with 10 wins and six losses.
They hail from the Free State Province in South Africa but also encompass the Northern Cape by virtue of the GWK Griquas from which they can also draw players. Their home ground, the Free State Stadium in the city of Bloemfontein can hold a crowd of 48,000 and they have an average attendance of 20,456 spanning from 2006 to 2014.
In the domestic competition of South Africa, the Currie Cup, they are also ranked fourth best since the tournament’s inaugural season in 1892, behind Western Province, the Blue Bulls, Golden Lions and Natal Sharks. They currently hold a total of four premiership titles with the most recent win in 2007.
The Cheetahs have not had the best of luck in Super Rugby thus far with sixth spot being their highest ever placing. Since 2006 they have been 10th thrice, 11th twice, 13th and 14th and of course, sixth. Their 2014 season saw them slump back to 14th after winning four, losing 11 and drawing once.
Things didn’t go right for them in the 2014 ABSA Currie Cup either, with a disappointing fifth place finish, winning only three games against the competition’s poorest teams. They drew a 30-all game against the Natal Sharks, lost all their matches against the Golden Lions, Western Province and the new kids on the block, the Steval Pumas and subsequently failed to reach the semi-finals.
The best way to sum up the Cheetahs is with a rather comedic Afrikaans phrase commonly associated with the boys from Bloemfontein.
“Die krag is daar, maar die ligte is af.” This translates to: “The power is there, but the lights are off”.
Sadly this is the state in which Free State rugby finds itself in. To a foreigner it might look like the Free State Cheetahs rugby union is a complete wasteland of mediocrity, littered with players who have the best of intentions but couldn’t perform if their lives depended on it.
To the initiated who know the truth of this poor union, they would see that Cheetahs rugby is a diamond in the rough, a never ending conveyor belt of pure South African talent. Their greatest flaw? They don’t have the finances to keep their talent right where it is.
Such has been their fate that they have been pillaged to the brink of insanity by South Africa’s big three provinces, the Blue Bulls, Western Province and Natal Sharks. When one looks at how many Springboks have come from Grey College you would find yourself wondering how the Cheetahs could not perform better.
The truth is simple, unfortunately. The two biggest production lines in South Africa are the Cheetahs and the Stormers, but the difference between the two is that the Stormers can actually keep the majority of their talent in Cape Town and the Cheetahs can’t.
What you have to admit, though, is that what the Cheetahs lack in success they make up in heart, character and determination. They play the best brand of exciting, expansive rugby in the whole of South Africa. Throughout the years the Cheetahs have been able to play beautiful games of rugby against big teams, winning them along the way. They play the game to entertain and that is where their problem often lies.
The Cheetahs believe that they can win games consistently by outscoring the opposition with tries and only tries. They don’t put any emphasis on the importance of defence and good tactical kicking play because in their minds they believe that they can cut any deficit down by just running the ball until doomsday.
Sometimes it works and sometimes it goes horribly wrong. The hammerings they got from the Hurricanes (60-27), Stormers (33-0) and Lions (60-23) last year are prime examples of the latter. In 2013, however, the Cheetahs got the balance right between attack, defence and tactical play. They will have to do so again in 2015 if they intend to have a good season.
2015 season preview
The Cheetahs open their campaign against the Sharks at Growthpoint Kings Park away from home on Valentine’s Day before taking a premature breather in the second round. After that they will host the Blues, Bulls and the return match against the Sharks in Bloemfontein in rounds three, four and five.
Depending on the form of all the teams in the competition this could be anything between a good and horrific start for the Cheetahs. On paper it would seem that the Sharks will be the premier South African side this year and should prove to be a tad too much for the Cheetahs in both games.
This is, of course, only if the Sharks are as good as their team roster suggests. Unfortunately they have only beaten the Bulls but once in Super Rugby, and I expect the Bulls to keep up the tradition by beating a gutsy Cheetahs performance.
The Blues game is interesting. The Cheetahs have it in them to beat the Blues at home but that won’t necessarily mean they will. The Cheetahs have a bye after Round 1 so they will still be rusty come Round 3 against the Auckland side. But I will give them their first win of the season. Not the best of starts, with a very debatable one win out of four first up.
After this the Cheetahs leave for a happy tour of sunshine, beaches and sandcastles. They play the Crusaders at Christchurch, the Chiefs at Waikato, the Brumbies at Canberra and then the Western Force at Perth. They only needed the Waratahs to make it a half decent tour.
Jokes aside this tour is a complete baptism of fire for the men in orange. The Crusaders have not lost to the Cheetahs at Christchurch in their entire history while the two-time champion Chiefs have also become a force of nature on home soil. I expect two losses straight up in New Zealand.
The Brumbies will be too much for the Cheetahs as well, having been a very consistent Super Rugby side the past few seasons. The South African conference winners of 2014 failed to triumph in Canberra so I doubt the Cheetahs class of 2015 will. Then the Force game. I feel more comfortable with this match than I do with the Blues game and I believe the Cheetahs will take it giving them their second, but realistically first, win of their campaign.
After the horror tour the Reds will visit them at the Free State Stadium before they travel up to Ellis Park to face the resurgent Lions, and after that they will face the Stormers at home. It certainly isn’t the kind of welcome back party the Cheetahs would have hoped for.
They beat the Reds handsomely the last time they met at Bloemfontein and will be hoping to repeat that performance. The Reds, however, look set to have a better year than the previous two and will fancy their chances on a fast, dry track. Another gutsy Cheetahs performance and another loss is what I predict.
Then the Lions game away from home. The Cheetahs will remember the pain from that emphatic last round loss to the Lions at the same venue and will be looking to correct it. If the Lions continue their Currie Cup form, however, I predict more of the same. They will lick their lips at the prospect of having the Stormers over in Bloemfontein though.
The last two times the Cheetahs and the Stormers met at Free State Stadium, the Cheetahs turned out comfortable winners. Potential third win, most likely a second win before their second bye.
Their final wave of attack will come in the form of the Highlanders and Lions at home before they face the Stormers for a second time at DHL Newlands. After that they will face the current champion Waratahs at home and finish off against the Bulls at Loftus.
Two successive wins against the Highlanders and Lions at home will be non-negotiable if the Cheetahs want to better their 2014 season. If the Highlanders come close to the form that saw them shock the Sharks at Growthpoint Kings Park last year then I struggle seeing a Free State win, but I expect them to restore some pride by beating the Lions at home with a hard fought running rugby win.
They will lose at DHL Newlands and they will lose convincingly against the Stormers, like they had the previous two years where they lost 28-3 and 33-0. As mentioned in the Bulls’ preview, the Stormers love return games against all their South African rivals. They will also lose against the Waratahs followed by the Bulls at Loftus.
Overall the draw is alright at best. It features three home games in succession in the opening rounds but also a horribly placed first bye in Round 2. But whatever advantage the Cheetahs may even get from this start will be completely nullified by the worst tour Down Under by any South African side, with only one realistic win.
The middle fixtures are somewhat lighter, with a probable win over the Stormers and maybe even the Reds depending on what shape they’re in. The finish is about as horrible as the tour, with the Stormers out for revenge, the high time Tahs the second last game and the traditionally dominant Bulls as a curtain closer.
If I put the patriotism away I expect the Cheetahs to win only three games against the Western Force in Perth, the Stormers in Bloemfontein and the Lions in Bloemfontein if they’re lucky. For the long shots maybe the Reds and the Highlanders at home but that’s about it. It may seem like a very critical prediction but with the squad disruption that’s how I see it panning out.
They have lost 14 players and recruited eight.
Out
Hennie Daniller, Rossouw de Klerk, Andries Ferreira, Johan Goosen, Lappies Labuschagne, Ligtoring Landman, Hercu Liebenberg, Kevin Luiters, Howard Mnisi, Nick Schoenert, Riaan Smith, Adriaan Strauss, Phillip van der Walt, Trevor Nyakane and Waltie Vermeulen.
In
Willie Britz, JP du Plessis, Willie du Plessis, JW Jonker, Devin Oosthuizen, Sergeal Pietersen, Joe Pietersen, BG Uys, Coenie van Wyk and Clayton Blommetjies.
The main objective in terms of team synergy should be to commit equally to attack, defence and tactics. These three components made the Cheetahs a very good team in 2013. They can’t do what they did in 2014 by thinking that they’ll just score enough tries to win without having to commit defensively.
The notable departures of Springboks Strauss, Nyakane and Goosen will certainly damage the team. With Strauss gone they will need a new captain and logically the choice can only be made between 2014 vice-captain and Cheetahs veteran Francois Uys and Namibian 2014 Currie Cup captain Torsten van Jaarsveld.
With Nyakane gone to the Bulls they will also need a new prop, effectively a brand new scrum beside Oosthuizen. The departure of Goosen has been counteracted by the arrival of former Stormers ace Joe Pietersen.
Here’s to hoping the Cheetahs surprise us in 2015.
My Cheetahs team for 2015
1. Coenie Oosthuizen (187cm, 127kg)
2. Torsten van Jaarsveld (175cm, 110kg)
3. Caylib Oosthuizen (186cm, 116kg)
4. Lood de Jager (206cm, 123kg)
5. Francois Uys (198cm, 111kg)
6. Heinrich Brussow (180cm, 100kg)
7. Teboho Mahoje (193cm, 106kg)
8. Jean Cook (193cm, 108kg)
9. Sarel Pretorius (170cm, 80kg)
10. Joe Pietersen (180cm, 85kg)
11. Raymond Rhule (175cm, 76kg)
12. JP du Plessis (185cm, 93kg)
13. Johann Sadie (188cm, 90kg)
14. Cornall Hendricks (188cm, 90kg)
15. Willie le Roux (185cm, 90kg)
That sounds more like drinking with Lindsay every day :lol:
Harry Jones
Expert
Hahaha!
Loftus
Guest
How big is the Bulls region though? It's effectively just Pre toria...
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
I get your point now biltong, and yes, its a big dilemma. Perso am more 'club' than players. When a case like the one you describe arises, I stick to my club and just forget or dislike the player depending on the circumstances of his departure. Say if he leaves for our big rivals, he'll be written off. On the other hand, if after 5-6 years at the club he leaves for a bigger club who can offer him things my club can't , I will still respect him (but still stick to my club obviously). Funnily enough, in rugby, although clubs have been welcoming foreigners en masse as you know, not many players leave clubs for their big enemy (am talking Biarritz - bayonne switch, something similar to a Bulls Stormers perhaps). Recently, Nalaga the Fijian wing announced he was leaving Clermont where he had been for years, for Toulon next year, again for bigger bucks. He was booed big time at his home stadium in Clermont at the following match. clearly, the majority of supporters didn't appreciate his move to the enemy. Again, its a huge dilemma and I understand your point re players over teams. Perso I just chose not to give too much credit to individuals over teams, the region, community etc. In oz there has been quite a few players in my 10-12 years in Sydney where Tahs have switched to reds and vice versa. Do I like it? No I don't, so I stick to the Tahs.
Nothing wrong with your reasoning, I expect most reason that way. I think that is the modern way, semantics don't matter anymore ;)
Armand van Zyl
Roar Guru
I support a team because a team represents a certain region. That's how I choose my teams anyway. For me it has nothing to do with who plays for what team. If it did then I would support the Sharks if Duane Vermeulen hypothetically went there. I don't care about who plays for the team, I don't care who manages it, nothing. I support a team because it represents the region I love. I support the Stormers because I love the Western Cape, Cape Town in particular. I love most things about WP. Same with the Boks. I could have supported the All Blacks because I was born there but I didn't because I love South Africa more than I do New Zealand. That's just me anyway. Oh and I hate the English team because I dislike England in general. That's about it
Armand van Zyl
Roar Guru
Can I object to that or will I have to withdraw my statement?
Nick, I think you misunderstand me. I am not suggesting any individual should be treated as second grade citizens, I am simply trying to make you understand why I don't support any professional clubs or franchises. Bryan Habana started playing for the Lions at Ellispark, the same stadium in which he was as a young boy the day the Boks won the RWC for the first time, he grew up wanting to play rugby there and represent his country. Subsequently he has played for the Lions, the Bulls and Stormers. If for argument sake he was one of your heroes, and you supported the team he played for, what do you do when he moves to the Bulls? and then to the Stormers? I rather support the players no matter where they go than support a team.
Harry Jones
Expert
You can invent a scoring system
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
firstxv and bitlong, that's not the way I have lived rugby all my life. I have always seen rugby as an inclusive sport, a way to be part of the community. All my life, when I moved to a new place, the first thing I did/do was found the rugby ground and turn up on a Wednesday or Friday evening at 7pm at a training session. Most times a coach or player would come to talk to me, shake my hand and ask me if I wanted to train and here we go. That's the way I found the club I played for in my 20s and never I heard supporters nor felt that I wasnt really 'one of them'. Played touch footy the same way in Sydney a few years ago, turned up, met a few kiwis, islanders and aussies and played for a few months. For me, that's rugby, we all share the same passion and speak the same language. When I read blokes like bakkies (the roarer) in Ireland or jez in HK, i feel am not the only one to see rugby as a way to integrate rather than divide ppl. I know pros are different but I want to give these guys the benefit of the doubt and think they don't 'only' play for money. I understand that ppl have a special affection for home grown talent (I have too), but it doesn't mean new players should be treated as 2nd grade. Especially in cities like Auckland or Sydney where half the population have a different background, where born elsewhere or come from the countryside. I like that KB is from Sydney, we need that, but also like Jacque Pot for what he brings to the club.
Loftus
Guest
I think you will find they were called the Cats in 1997... The Cats used to be Transvaal and Free State combined.
Armand van Zyl
Roar Guru
Do yourself a favor and check out how many Bulls playets come from their region. I was rather shocked. Haven't checked the Sharks out yet, but I can't imagine that they have many locals either.
Armand van Zyl
Roar Guru
Thanks Dig, up next the Lions.
Armand van Zyl
Roar Guru
Got a lot of time on my hands Harry! No rugby to watch, no rugby to play, nothing. Except drinking Mondays with Lindsay.
That's correct Tman, it is about that market value. THus far Market value has not yet become the deciding factor in which country players represent, perhaps I am lucky, because of our economic situation and our currency we cannot buy players, hence our Bok team will remain largely South African represented. So it is easy to identify with them. Other countries are starting to show some signs of being represented by foreign imports, but fortunately I don't have to support them.
firstxv
Guest
Know what you mean biltong. One of the reasons I still support Auckland is still because its largely still Aucklanders and always has been. It may not always be the best ones as they've gone elsewhere but my era grew up with the dream of playing for them. These days that's inappropriate. Today's players know they need to get to a level that 'anyone' will have them...worldwide. Get to a certain level...the worlds your oyster. We didn't have that but we did know it was coming. In Auckland they learn the trade in the toughest of schools then obtain a value...and go. As fans we need to appreciate that difference.
Nick like I showed you above, identifying with teams have only partly to do with players going overseas. Thr Stormers, Bulls and Sharks are as guilty of buying success as overseas clubs, just less so because they don't have the same amount of money. My point being I can't remain loyal to a team who has so many players not home grown. And yes, I realise professional rugby has brought this along and it was inevitable.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
But whats wrong with Stormers (or any team) players not originating from the region? Do we all have to spend our life and die where we were born? Do all talented Samoans, Tongans, Romanians, Namibians etc have to stay in their country and never play for a stronger club? Should we not welcome foreigners or ppl from another region trying to integrate and be part of their new community? that's not the world I want to live in. My point with other workers is that rugby players are just one of many saffas who have decided to leave their country. That a few hundreds of the 1 Million white saffas who have left SA are rugby players isn't surprising imo. SA is a very particular country and many of its ppl want one thing: leave the country. I have met many saffas expats in oz through work and have had many discussions with them about their reasons for leaving SA. I think some of the reasons they gave me were also valid for rugby players. Its a SA issue, not only a rugby one. And when it comes to us, you and I, its a cultural one, and that's fair enough, we didn't grow up in the same countries, environments etc. I think 'the new world' especially anglo nations like usa, SA, nz and oz, do not have a strong club culture, that's why they/you love so much 'franchises', in my eyes the most horrible sport concept. Supporters of Real Madrid, Manchester U, Celtic Glasgow, Bayonne, Toulouse etc love their club, culture, colours more than anything. Players change, retire, move on etc but the club remains, that's why we love our clubs the way we do and if a new player comes, respect the colours and history of the club, then that's fine with us. Unfortunately, those terms aren't as strong in your country that's why many ppl may need players to be from the same town to identify with them, but playing for a franchise is ok, i.e. a brand. I know which one is more fake.
How do you score points? :lol:
Harry Jones
Expert
Interesting list Have you done it for Bulls & Sharks? I expect the Sharks to be 20% Durban