The Cheetahs' SA Cup campaign hit a snag after a disastrous tumble from grace against the Valke, leaving coach Frans Steyn grappling with the remnants of a once-promising ascent. From a comfortable 24-7 lead, the Free Staters watched in dismay as victory slipped through their fingers, culminating in a 43-36 defeat in Kempton Park. Now teetering at fifth in the standings and with the clock ticking down on the season, the Cheetahs are staring down the barrel of a potential elimination from the Currie Cup Premier Division qualifiers.
Steyn, grappling with the aftershocks of the upset, didn't mince words about the unexpected turn of events. "It's not what any of us planned," he confessed in a candid chat with Netwerk24. The Valke's strategy undeniably outplayed the Cheetahs, igniting a need for introspection within Steyn's squad.
"Obviously the Valke's plan worked. Maybe we missed something, or whatever. We'll go back and look at what we did wrong and see what we need to do right,"
Steyn remarked, signaling a return to the drawing board for his team.
Despite the setback, Steyn's resolve remains unshaken. He believes in the core of his team and the strategies laid out, suggesting a path to redemption in their upcoming confrontations. "I think before the weekend there was a good upward curve. We just have to keep building and keep believing in the plan and keep believing in each other. Hopefully, we will come out on top," he shared, projecting optimism amidst adversity.
However, Steyn was also realistic about the implications of the loss, acknowledging the need for accountability.
"It is obviously disappointing, but we have to look at ourselves, see where we went wrong as coaches and fix things,"
he admitted, underscoring the urgency to rectify their course. The looming battles against the Border Bulldogs and Griquas now become do-or-die, with both games critical for the Cheetahs’ hopes of clawing back into a favorable position in the tournament.
The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but Steyn’s belief in his troops' ability to turn the tide suggests that the Cheetahs will not go down without a fight. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether this team can indeed bounce back from their setbacks and make a significant mark in the SA Cup.
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The Cheetahs' SA Cup campaign hit a snag after a disastrous tumble from grace against the Valke, leaving coach Frans Steyn grappling with the remnants of a once-promising ascent. From a comfortable 24-7 lead, the Free Staters watched in dismay as victory slipped through their fingers, culminating in a 43-36 defeat in Kempton Park. Now teetering at fifth in the standings and with the clock ticking down on the season, the Cheetahs are staring down the barrel of a potential elimination from the Currie Cup Premier Division qualifiers.
Steyn, grappling with the aftershocks of the upset, didn't mince words about the unexpected turn of events. "It's not what any of us planned," he confessed in a candid chat with Netwerk24. The Valke's strategy undeniably outplayed the Cheetahs, igniting a need for introspection within Steyn's squad.
"Obviously the Valke's plan worked. Maybe we missed something, or whatever. We'll go back and look at what we did wrong and see what we need to do right,"
Steyn remarked, signaling a return to the drawing board for his team.Despite the setback, Steyn's resolve remains unshaken. He believes in the core of his team and the strategies laid out, suggesting a path to redemption in their upcoming confrontations. "I think before the weekend there was a good upward curve. We just have to keep building and keep believing in the plan and keep believing in each other. Hopefully, we will come out on top," he shared, projecting optimism amidst adversity.
However, Steyn was also realistic about the implications of the loss, acknowledging the need for accountability.
"It is obviously disappointing, but we have to look at ourselves, see where we went wrong as coaches and fix things,"
he admitted, underscoring the urgency to rectify their course. The looming battles against the Border Bulldogs and Griquas now become do-or-die, with both games critical for the Cheetahs’ hopes of clawing back into a favorable position in the tournament.The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but Steyn’s belief in his troops' ability to turn the tide suggests that the Cheetahs will not go down without a fight. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether this team can indeed bounce back from their setbacks and make a significant mark in the SA Cup.