In a nail-biting showdown that could have spelled financial doom, the Cheetahs barely clung to their Premier Division lifeline, thanks to a botched conversion from the Griquas. The tense match concluded with a razor-thin 32-31 victory for the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, marking a significant moment of relief for coach Frans Steyn. A miss by Griquas' flyhalf Liam Koen in the dying moments sealed the deal, ensuring the Cheetahs' survival in the top tier, which promises more funding and crucial TV exposure.
Post-match, an audibly exhausted Steyn didn't mince words about his team's performance under pressure.
“The players probably saved my arse. Thank you,”
he admitted. Despite the external doubts, Steyn's faith in his squad never wavered. “I have always believed in the players. I will do it until the end. I am proud of the dedication we have put in,” he declared, reflecting on the intense final weeks of the season.The stakes were high as the Cheetahs faced the Griquas, who had been undefeated in the SA Cup. Delivering one of their most critical performances, the Cheetahs stepped up when it mattered most. “Griquas are a good team,” Steyn acknowledged, also tipping his hat to his counterpart.
“Piet Bergh has the ability to motivate his team every week. I think we can definitely learn certain things from him. I am incredibly proud. Let’s see where the road takes us.”
Looking ahead, Steyn underscored the relentless pressure to maintain their elite status, a struggle they've grappled with for three years. “It’s been like this for the past three years and it will remain like this – if we don’t get a competition, then we always have to win,” he explained. The coach also candidly admitted to early-season shortcomings. “I think we as coaches dropped the players at the beginning of the season. We as coaches now have to work in the same way going forward as was the case in the past two weeks.”
As the Cheetahs breathe a sigh of relief, the road ahead remains daunting. Steyn’s acknowledgment of the lessons learned and the intensity needed every week suggests a team aware of its vulnerabilities but ready to fight back with renewed vigor in the seasons to come.