Cheetahs make Amsterdam their home from home
12/07/2024 10:35 AM
From Bloemfontein to Amsterdam, the Cheetahs are out to prove they belong in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
The Cheetahs home away from home in this season's Challenge Cup is Amsterdam. And it is a home they are determined to call home.
Cheetahs director of rugby Frans Steyn is a two-time World Cup winner with the Springboks and won his first World Cup in 2007 when just 20 years-old. He spent most of his professional career playing in France, at Racing 92 and Montpellier.
Steyn, more than anyone, knows European rugby. He knows the European competitions, be it the Investec Champions Cup or the Challenge Cup.
Steyn wants his players to make a statement in this season's Challenge Cup, if only to motivate why the Cheetahs should be a permanent fixture in the make-up of the respective competitions.
The Cheetahs don't play in the Vodacom URC and their season is limited to the Currie Cup and by invitation to the Challenge Cup. Steyn, as would any director of rugby, wants to see his team play more rugby and test themselves against the best.
The Cheetahs made the semi-finals of the Currie Cup last season and in their two seasons in the Challenge Cup, they have qualified for the play-offs both times. This, despite being based in Europe.
Italy's Parma was home to the Cheetahs in the first season and now it is Amsterdam that plays host to the boys from Bloemfontein.
The Cheetahs are a popular team because of their style of rugby and because of the humility of the players. In South Africa, if the Cheetahs aren't the team you support, then they are always one's second favourite team.
They are a squad of overachievers, given that metaphorically they always seem to play into the wind.
Their achievement in making two successive Challenge Cup playoff rounds without getting to play a home game in Bloemfontein can't be overstated.
The National Rugby Centre Amsterdam (NRCA) Stadium in Amsterdam is situated within the Sportpark de Eendracht in the district of Geuzenveld-Slotermeer and has a 5000 capacity.
The travel distance from Amsterdam to the stadium is 10 minutes by car, 33 minutes by bus and 50 minutes by tram.
Last season the Cheetahs sold out the stadium for their match against Section Paloise.
The South Africans host France's Perpignan on Sunday. Former Stormers and Springbok lock Marvin Orie currently plays for USAP.
The Cheetahs, along with Georgia's Black Lion club, are the two wildcard additions to the Challenge Cup. Black Lion is based in Tbilisi.
The criteria for such an invite was competitive match day squads and a home venue with the required standards of hosting Challenge Cup matches.
Both the Cheetahs and the Black Lion were applauded for their contribution, on and off the field, since joining the Challenge Cup.
Black Lion made history by becoming the first Georgian club to participate in an EPCR tournament and the history was more significant in them winning against the Scarlets in their debut match away from home.
Both the Cheetahs and Lions have been guaranteed participation in this season's Challenge Cup and the 2025/26 edition.
Photo: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
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