Frans Steyn Frans Steyn says his Cheetahs team have received a wake-up call in the SA Cup. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn has warned that the Bloemfontein union will perish if the team don’t pull up their socks in the SA Cup and qualify for the Premier Division of the Currie Cup.
Free State have won two and lost two at the halfway point of the SA Cup, the second tier tournament for the South African teams not in the United Rugby Championship.
That puts Steyn’s team in fifth place on the 10-team log on 12 points, one behind Boland.
The top four teams in the SA Cup go into the Currie Cup top division, along with the four United Rugby Championship franchises, and Steyn is horrified that the Cheetahs might not make it.
After his team had to come from behind to beat Eastern Province at the weekend, Steyn said: “It was a wake-up call.
“I can’t tell the players how important this competition is for the union. All of us must be on the same page.
“We know we have to win. If we lose, we are out of the competition and the Currie Cup. Then doors will be closed for us.
“We have been told to do well in this competition and to make sure it happens. We don’t have any other options.
“If we are out of the Currie Cup, which sponsors will stick around? It’s business.
“You can say what you want, but if you go down and calls aren’t going your way, there is not another union in the SA Cup that is going to lose as much as us.
“We have no other option other than to perform every week.”
Ironically, Toyota last week announced that they have extended their sponsorship of the Cheetahs for another three years.
They have been backing the Free Staters for the last 15 years, but Steyn obviously knows something we don’t.
The Cheetahs’ 47-35 win in Gqeberha marked a debut for former Stormers utility back Clayton Blommetjies, who had an up-and-down game at flyhalf.
“There were a few things Clayton didn’t get right against EP,” Steyn said.
“We knew that was going to happen. He had had two training sessions, but we know he is going to be good for us.
“He brings something different.
“Clayton just needs to get used to the systems and build a relationship with the players around him. He’s a really great guy to have around.”
This week, the Cheetahs host the Griffons in a Free State derby in Bloemfontein on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
The Northern Free State side have won three of their four games, and are placed above the Cheetahs in third.
“Physicality will be the key to us beating the Griffons,” Steyn said.
“We need to start the game at a level that they can’t match. It would be pointless for us to take 20 minutes or more to bring some physicality.
“It’s going to be a big and tough 80 minutes from us this weekend.
“I’m very excited. I think we have a great team and great plans prepared for the Griffons.”
Griquas and the Pumas are the unbeaten teams in the SA Cup after four rounds and occupy first and second position on the log respectively.
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