SA Rugby have to do more to help Cheetahs stay relevant | The Citizen

SA Rugby need to do extra to assist the Cheetahs keep related as one of many nation’s prime unions after they claimed the Currie Cup title after an exciting last in opposition to the Pumas on Saturday. The Cheetahs have had an especially powerful time of it over the previous few years, and are nearly seen because the black sheep of the highest SA rugby franchises, with them in a position to compete with the likes of the Lions, however not given the identical recognition. ALSO READ: Calm efficiency helped Cheetahs seal Currie Cup win over Pumas That is clearly proven by how the…

SA Rugby need to do extra to assist the Cheetahs keep related as one of many nation’s prime unions after they claimed the Currie Cup title after an exciting last in opposition to the Pumas on Saturday.

The Cheetahs have had an especially powerful time of it over the previous few years, and are nearly seen because the black sheep of the highest SA rugby franchises, with them in a position to compete with the likes of the Lions, however not given the identical recognition.

ALSO READ: Calm performance helped Cheetahs seal Currie Cup win over Pumas

That is clearly proven by how the Cheetahs have been thrown out of Tremendous Rugby in 2016 after which Professional (now URC) rugby in 2019, with them not concerned in a world franchise competitors.

After their title win on Saturday evening former Springbok stalwart Ruan Pienaar gave a brief however scathing evaluation of SA Rugby’s inaction in serving to the Cheetahs get again to worldwide franchise rugby, in a dialog with the SuperSport commentators after the sport.

“Our individuals and staff wanted this. It’s been a tough few years since Covid. We’ve been kicked out of competitions and we needed to battle for our personal survival. I don’t suppose anybody is aware of what occurs on the market (behind the scenes),” stated Pienaar.

“There was no assist from SA Rugby. So we’re glad that we might do it for the individuals from Bloemfontein.”

Main enhance

The Cheetahs did obtain a serious enhance over the previous season after they have been included within the Problem Cup competitors as an invitational aspect.

Whereas it was a giant assist it nonetheless just isn’t the reply because the Cheetahs solely performed 5 video games in it, earlier than they have been knocked out of the competitors by French giants Toulon within the final 16.

Being in essence a knockout competitors it’s not sustainable sufficient for the Cheetahs, as they play barely any video games throughout the time of the competitors which suggests they head into a lot of these matches chilly.

They’re additionally not assured a spot within the competitors, with the approaching season but to verify who the 2 invitational sides participating might be.

SA Rugby thus has to take action far more to assist the Cheetahs get one thing extra everlasting, in order that they don’t turn into a minnow of SA rugby as a result of lack of help.