Frans Steyn, the head honcho of the Cheetahs, is banging the drum for Super Rugby, claiming it's the perfect arena for his team. Kicked to the curb by Sanzaar post-2017, the Cheetahs found temporary asylum in the Pro14, even making a splash in the quarter-finals right off the bat. Alas, their Euro trip was cut short by a global lockdown, and when the URC came calling, the Cheetahs missed the invite. Now, they're grinding it out in the Currie Cup and other local competitions, but Steyn's eyes are set on bigger prizes.
With the Cheetahs having a rollercoaster ride in the SA Cup, finishing third before a semi-final knockout, Steyn is prepping his squad for another Currie Cup showdown and their fourth EPCR Challenge Cup. But he's clear about one thing: "We need SA Rugby to help us get into a competition. Without their help, they just say no to everyone that gives us an opportunity, and it shuts down," he vented in a chat with Megafoon Rugby.
"I’m so outspoken about Super Rugby because of the way they play. I’m a fan of their style,"
Steyn added, hinting at a longing for the high-energy clashes reminiscent of Super Rugby days. He dreams of packed stadiums in Bloemfontein, with the likes of the Crusaders visiting, reigniting the local fans' passion for international contests.Steyn is not just a dreamer; he's a planner too. He's mulling over innovative competition formats to cut down on travel and expenses. "There was talk about playing in a central location like Cape Town for a couple of weekends so that teams don’t have to fly around so much. That could help," he proposed, suggesting practical solutions to logistical nightmares.
But there's a snag in Steyn's plans, "If I have a conversation with someone and then the next morning they speak to SA Rugby, and I never hear from them again, then something happened. That’s the fight I’m fighting." It seems the battle for inclusion is as tough off the field as on it.
While Steyn gears up for another domestic campaign, he's clear that the endgame is to break back into a major international tournament. "If we win or come close to winning the Challenge Cup, that could be our way back into something bigger. But we need to be given the opportunity," he concluded, not ready to throw in the towel just yet.