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Stormers v Cheetahs at Newlands (Gallo)
- The Cheetahs believe there should be a playoff structure to determine SA’s PRO16 entrants.
- This comes after Cheetahs sponsor Toyota hit SA Rugby over the weekend.
- SA Rugby recently said that its four Super Rugby franchises, the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers, would play in PRO16.
the Cheetahs have asked SA Rugby to adopt a playoff structure to determine the country’s participants in an expanded PRO16 event in Europe.
SA Rugby recently withdrew its four Super Rugby franchises, the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers, from the southern hemisphere event in favor of playing in an expanded PRO Rugby event.
This scenario would leave the Cheetahs and Southern Kings, who have played in PRO14 since 2017, on the sidelines.
Over the weekend, the Cheetahs’ main sponsor Toyota attacked SA Rugby for taking the Bloemfontein-based franchise out of PRO Rugby.
The sponsor asked SA Rugby to adopt the promotion-relegation principle to ensure that the top four South African teams play in an expanded PRO16 event.
On Wednesday, the Cheetahs released a statement thanking the sponsor for its continued support and endorsing the idea that the playoffs should be used to determine South Africa’s participants in PRO Rugby.
“Free State Cheetahs management is extremely appreciative and appreciative of Toyota South Africa’s strong statement over the weekend that they are eager to continue their nine-year sponsorship of Free State Cheetahs. We also support them in their belief that the South Africa Rugby Union (SA Rugby), should adopt the playoff principle to ensure that the top four SA teams participate in the international PRO16 competition. “ the cheetahs said in the statement.
The Cheetahs added that the two national competitions – Super Rugby Unlocked and Currie Cup – should be used to determine which four teams advance.
“If the Cheetahs don’t finish in the top four teams, so be it. At least fairness will prevail and ensure the continued development of SA’s top five franchises. It will also provide the best possible talent for the Springbok team and fans.” “
Cheetahs full statement:
Free State Cheetahs management is extremely appreciative and appreciative of Toyota South Africa’s strong statement over the weekend that they are eager to continue their nine-year sponsorship of Free State Cheetahs. We also support them in their belief that the South African Rugby Union (SA Rugby) should embrace the playoff principle to ensure that the top four SA teams participate in the international PRO16 competition.
The Free State Cheetahs management sees no reason why the current Super Unlocked and Currie Cup competitions could not be adopted to determine the teams that will represent South Africa at next year’s PRO16. If the Cheetahs don’t finish in the top four teams, so be it. At least fairness would prevail and ensure continued development of SA’s top five franchises. It would also offer the best possible talent for the Springbok fans and selection.
Therefore, we salute Toyota’s strong support for the Cheetahs. They have made an invaluable contribution to rugby in the Free State and in South Africa, they are a strong international brand and a progressive, solid and reliable partner.
Meanwhile, Covid-19 has disrupted the Super Unlocked series. The Lions’ games against the Cheetahs and the Pumas were canceled, as was this weekend’s game between the Sharks and the Stormers. There is also the possibility that the Bulls game, currently scheduled for Saturday, will be canceled.
If that is the case, the Bulls will finish as the first winners of the Super Unlocked trophy. We believe they are deserved winners, having lost only to the Cheetahs.
After last weekend’s unfortunate loss to the Stormers, the Cheetahs are currently fourth on the record and will remain there if we beat Griquas on Saturday. The cancellation of the game between the Stormers and the Sharks is regrettable as it has ruled out the possibility of the Cheetahs moving up to third place on the record. The cancellation means that the Sharks and Stormers will now score two points, moving them to 19 points on the record, which is beyond the Cheetahs’ reach.
A win against Griquas, even without a bonus point, will ensure that we finish in the top four teams. This is by no means going to be a walk in the park. Griquas has come by leaps and bounds since the start of the competition and was extremely unlucky not to score a win against the Sharks last weekend.
The Cheetahs have everything to play for, although the Griquas are going to be a tough nut to crack, we will do our best!
To all of our loyal fans, thank you for your continued support.
– Compiled by Sport24 staff
