VIDEO: Why Cheetahs could be forced to 'shut up shop'

Yesterday at 06:29 AM

The Cheetahs must rise from the mire of mediocrity they find themselves in and reclaim their place as a leading brand in South Africa, or simply close the doors.

That is the view of leading administrators, Rory Duncan and Frans Steyn, ahead of a crucial run of SA Cup matches.

The Cheetahs and host the Griffons in the fifth round of the SA Cup, most likely the most crucial round in what has become a battle of survival for the Bloemfontein-based franchise.

Defending champions Griquas and 2024 finalists Pumas are leading the standings with the maximum 20 league points, having won all four of their matches.

Below them, an interesting race is developing between the Griffons (third, 16 points), Boland Cavaliers (fourth, 13 points), Cheetahs (fifth, 12 points) and Falcons (sixth, 11 points).

Only the top four after the league phase will qualify to join the 'international' franchises - Bulls, Sharks, Lions and Stormers - in the Currie Cup.

(Continue below ...)

For the Cheetahs, to miss the Currie Cup cut, seems incomprehensible.

More significantly, it will have dire consequences for their longevity.

"I can't explain to the players the importance of this competition [and] what it means [for the Cheetahs]," Cheetahs Director of Rugby and SA Cup coach Frans Steyn said in the build-up to Saturday's central unions' face-off in Bloemfontein.

"All of us are on the same page, I hope. We know we have to win.

"If we lose, we are out of the [SA Cup] competition and the Currie Cup.

"[If that happens,], then most probably the doors of this union will be closed.

"What [the message] that was passed on to us [players and staff] is to do well in this competition and to make sure it happens."

He said there are no alternatives for them as a union and franchise.

"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 that is going to lose as much as us.

"We need to pitch up on Saturday and play better.

"All the stuff we can't control should not factor into our game.

"We have no other option other than to perform every week."

(WATCH as Cheetahs Director of Rugby and SA Cup coach Frans Steyn explains why the franchise is on the brink of closing its doors.....)

Rory Duncan, the CEO of Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd, spoke of the 'concept of Kaizen - a Japanese, philosophy of "continuous improvement", incremental, ongoing improvements in all aspects of life, to achieve long-term progress and growth.

"If you look at where the Cheetahs are, currently, it is a challenge for us," Duncan said at a recent sponsorship announcement.

"How do we come in to work and become better every day?

"We are currently in a rebuilding phase and there is no better partner than a company that has rebuilt before."

The Cheetahs boss added that it is the kind of resilience they are eager to embrace as they look to rebuild and once again take a place among the leading brands in South Africa.

"We are mopping up the last remnants of water and mud and getting our house ready for success," the CEO said.

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