[ad_1]
Hawies Fourie. (Gallo images)
Always the black sheep, the Cheetahs on Tuesday they were officially sidelined from future South African PRO Rugby.
In a move that was widely expected, SA Rugby’s general council voted for the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers to be the four franchises that will be participate in a PRO16 expansion discussed.
It’s a cruel blow to the core franchise, which took a huge leap of faith in mid-2017 by moving to Europe alongside the Southern Kings after both were eliminated from Super Rugby.
However, in a statement, the Cheetahs said they had negotiated a kind of compromise by confirming their participation in a “Super 8 competition” that will ensure “additional income.”
Details about the tournament are vague, but it is understood that it could involve a cross-border game against teams from New Zealand and Australia.
“The implications of the business model must be evaluated and the board will decide the way forward,” the franchise said.
The Cheetahs are also understood to have retained their franchise status, although the lack of a competition to play at today means they are in the same boat as their neighbors Griquas and Pumas.
“Free State Rugby will review all the implications and then determine the way forward.”
Meanwhile, the statement also confirmed that the Currie Cup is scheduled for a renewal in 2021, whereby all 14 unions will participate in a qualifying tournament for the main event of force against force.
