Cheetahs clarify Euro Cup 'misunderstanding'

12/06/2024 07:18 AM

Director of rugby Frans Steyn has reaffirmed the Cheetahs' commitment to the EPCR Challenge Cup, after his recent comments suggesting otherwise.

Steyn on Monday alluded that the Cheetahs would benefit more from inclusion in Super Rugby than playing in European cup competitions.

"The French didn't want us in the Challenge Cup," Steyn revealed at a press conference where the Cheetahs squad was unveiled for their 2024-25 Challenge Cup opener against Perpignan in Amsterdam on Sunday.

"I can also see how seriously the French take their European competition… I think South African teams being in European cups definitely hurt the competitions in some individuals' point of view."

In a press statement on Friday, Free State Rugby shared that Steyn's comments "may have been misunderstood".

"As a team, the Cheetahs are deeply grateful for the opportunity to compete in the EPCR Challenge Cup," they stated. "The comments in question were solely intended to highlight the challenges of competing away from home and were in no way a critique of the competition itself.

"I want to emphasise that I greatly respect European rugby and the EPCR," Steyn added.

"I have had the privilege of playing in Europe for seven years and hold the competition and its participants in the highest regard. The level of rugby in Europe is exceptional, and I admire the quality of rugby played at this level.

"We are grateful to be part of a quality competition like the EPCR Challenge Cup. It is an honour to play against some of the best clubs in Europe, and we are committed to doing our best in the competition."

Photo: Romain Biard/Icon Sport via Getty Images

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