Cheetahs (rugby union)

Last updated

Flag of South Africa.svg Cheetahs
Logo Cheetahs Rugby.svg
Union South African Rugby Union
Emblem(s) Cheetah
Founded1895
Location Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
Region Free State
Northern Cape
Ground(s) Free State Stadium (Capacity: 46,000)
Coach(es) Frans Steyn
Captain(s) Victor Sekekete
League(s) European Rugby Challenge Cup
Currie Cup
2024–25 & 2025 ERCC DNQ
4th overall
2025 CC
Semi-finalist
4th overall
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Kit body Cheetahskit17.png
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Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts Canterburyshorts17.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks Cheetahssocks15.png
Kit socks long.svg
Team kit
Kit left arm Cheetahsleft18b.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body Cheetahskit17b.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm Cheetahsright18b.png
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2nd kit
Official website
www.fscheetahs.co.za
Rugby football current event.svg Current season

The Cheetahs (known for sponsorship reasons as the Toyota Cheetahs), is a South African professional rugby union team based at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. They competed in Super Rugby between 2006 and 2017 and in 2020, then the Pro14 (now United Rugby Championship) from 2017 to 2020. They currently compete in the EPCR Challenge Cup and the South African domestic Currie Cup competition. Formerly known as Orange Free State they were originally established in 1895.

Contents

The franchise area encompasses the western half of the Free State province. Between 2006 and 2015, the Griffons from the eastern half of the Free State province and Griquas from the Northern Cape province were Cheetahs franchise partners, but this ended prior to the 2016 Super Rugby season. [1]

The Cheetahs was one of the two new franchises that entered the expanded Super 14 competition in 2006, the other being Australia's Western Force. The Central Union was awarded the fifth South African franchise over the SEC franchise in April 2005. In its first season the Cheetahs did surprisingly well, finishing tenth in the final standings, out of 14 sides. Prior to being accepted into the 2006 Super 14 season, the Cheetahs were represented as a part of the Cats. In addition, before the South African Rugby Union entered regionalised franchises into the competition, the Free State Cheetahs side competed in the 1997 Super 12 season. [2]

Strip

The primary strip for the Toyota Cheetahs is an orange jersey with a white collar and white trim. Black shorts with orange socks and white trim. The colours are representative of the Free State Currie Cup side; orange and white (Free State Cheetahs). The alternative jersey is the same design, though it is a white jersey with an orange collar and orange trim. Black shorts with orange socks and white trim. designed by Lutkin Kemp

Franchise history

Prior to South Africa entering franchises into the then Super 12, the domestic Currie Cup sides competed instead. The Free State Cheetahs, one of the sides that make up the current Central Cheetahs, competed in one Super 12 season in 1997. [2] The Free State played 11 matches, winning 5 and losing 6. They placed 7th on the end of season standings.

Proposals by the Central Union franchise and the SEC (Southern and Eastern Cape) franchise were studied for the allocation of a fifth Super Rugby team licence. The Central Union emphasized points to the SARU such as that the region is second only to the Western Province in terms of producing players for the national side. The Central Union noted that they have a strong and stable fanbase that would be able to meet financial and administrative responsibilities and demands of a Super 14 rugby side. [3]

In mid April 2005, the South African Rugby Union announced that the Central Unions franchise would be its fifth team for the expanded Super 14 competition that would begin in 2006. They were awarded the franchise ahead of the Southern and Eastern Cape (see Southern Spears). In the pre-season of their entrance to the new look Super 14 competition, the Cheetahs played both of the other new franchises, new Australian team; the Western Force and 2007 fellow South African team, the Southern Spears. The Cheetahs proved to be the strongest out of the new sides, demolishing the Spears 48 to nil and soundly defeating the Force in Perth. The Cheetahs played their first game on 10 February, proving they are fighting fit, but were not good enough on the day for the South African Bulls, losing their first official match in Bloemfontein 18 points to 30. The Cheetahs won their first Super 14 game in week two, defeating the Sharks in a thrilling match seeing the Cheetahs win by a single point, 27 to 26. Entering round four of the 2006 season, the Cheetahs were facing the table leaders, the Hurricanes. In a surprise result, the Cheetahs beat the table leaders, thus winning their first home game and proving they deserve to be in the Super 14.[ citation needed ]

The Cheetahs finally broke their drought in overseas matches with an upset over the New South Wales Waratahs on 19 March 2011.

Following SANZAAR's decision to reduce the number of teams for 2018, the South African Rugby Union announced that the Cheetahs would be one of the teams cut from the 2018 competition. Instead, the Cheetahs joined the previously Northern Hemisphere-exclusive Pro14 competition prior to the 2017–18 season.

The Cheetahs were unable to compete in the 2020–21 Pro14 due to COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions. Instead, the team played the Super Rugby Unlocked in late 2020 and the Preparation Series in early 2021. However, the Cheetahs were not invited into the Pro14 Rainbow Cup. The Pro14 was rebranded as the United Rugby Championship for the 2021–22, and the team was not selected to enter it.

Since 2022, the Cheetahs play in the EPCR Challenge Cup as an invited team.

Currie Cup

The Orange Free State Rugby Union was established in 1895, but did not make it to their first Currie Cup final appearance until 1973, when they lost to Northern Transvaal 30–22 at Loftus Versfeld. They first won the competition in 1976 and have won the competition a further seven occasions (2005, 2006, 2007, 2016, 2019 & 2023). In the 1990s the side became the Free State Cheetahs. The side has also competed in further domestic competitions including the Vodacom Cup, Bankfin Nite Series, SuperSport Rugby Challenge, Toyota Challenge and SA Cup.

Currie Cup finals

SeasonWinnersScoreRunner-upVenue
1973 Northern Transvaal 30–22Orange Free State Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
1975 Northern Transvaal 12–6Orange Free State Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
1976Orange Free State33–16 Western Province Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
1977 Northern Transvaal 27–12Orange Free State Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
1978 Northern Transvaal 13–9Orange Free State Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
1981 Northern Transvaal 23–6Orange Free State Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
1994 Transvaal 156–35Orange Free State Springbok Park, Bloemfontein
1997 Western Province 14–12Free State Cheetahs2 Newlands, Cape Town
2004 Blue Bulls 342–33Free State Cheetahs Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
2005Free State Cheetahs29–25 Blue Bulls Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
2006Free State Cheetahs28–284 Blue Bulls Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
2007 Free State Cheetahs20–18 Golden Lions 1 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
2009 Blue Bulls 36–24Free State Cheetahs Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
2016 Free State Cheetahs36–16 Blue Bulls Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
2019 Free State Cheetahs31–28 Golden Lions Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
2023 Free State Cheetahs25–17 Pumas Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

1 Transvaal are now known as the Golden Lions.
2 Orange Free State were renamed the Free State Cheetahs.
3 Northern Transvaal were renamed the Blue Bulls.
4 Game was a draw after 80+20minutes, thus the cup was shared.

Vodacom Cup finals

SeasonWinnersScoreRunner-upVenue
2000Free State44–24 Griquas Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
2008 Blue Bulls 25–21Free State Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
2010 Blue Bulls 31–29Free State Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Bankfin Nite Series finals

SeasonWinnersScoreRunner-upVenue
1996 Free State46–34 Border Bloemfontein

Stadium

The Cheetahs' home stadium is the Free State Stadium, previously referred to as Vodacom Park for sponsorship purposes, located in Bloemfontein. The stadium had its capacity increased to 48,000 for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The stadium is the home of Free State rugby as it is also home to the Free State Cheetahs, a Currie Cup side which produces a large number of players for the Cheetahs franchise. A then-capacity crowd of 37,383 watched the Cheetahs in their first official Super 14 match against the Bulls on 10 February 2006.

The Cheetahs also previously played matches at Griquas Park in Kimberley, the home of the Griqualand West Rugby Union, and at North West Stadium in Welkom, the home of the Griffons Rugby Union.

Season by season record

CompetitionSeason Cheetahs seasons Top try scorerTop point scorer
PosFinalsPWLDFA-/+BPPtsNameTriesNamePoints
Super 14 2006 10th13580272367–95727 Flag of South Africa.svg Giscard Pieters 5 Flag of South Africa.svg Meyer Bosman 81
2007 11th13481265342–774223 players2 Flag of South Africa.svg Willem de Waal 54
2008 13th131120255428–173913 Flag of South Africa.svg Jongi Nokwe 7 Flag of South Africa.svg Conrad Barnard 47
2009 14th132110213341–128311 Flag of South Africa.svg Jongi Nokwe 6 Flag of South Africa.svg Jacques-Louis Potgieter 59
2010 11th13571315393–78426 Flag of South Africa.svg Björn Basson 5 Flag of South Africa.svg Naas Olivier 112
Super Rugby 2011 11th165110435437–21240 Flag of South Africa.svg Sarel Pretorius 9 Flag of South Africa.svg Sias Ebersohn 179
2012 10th165110391458–671038 Flag of South Africa.svg Willie le Roux 7 Flag of South Africa.svg Johan Goosen 145
2013 6thQualifying final16106038235824654 Flag of South Africa.svg Willie le Roux 6 Flag of South Africa.svg Burton Francis 62
2014 14th164111372527–155624 Flag of South Africa.svg Cornal Hendricks 6 Flag of South Africa.svg Johan Goosen 143
2015 13th164120247434–187622 Flag of South Africa.svg Boom Prinsloo 8 Flag of South Africa.svg Joe Pietersen 92
2016 14th154110377425–48521 Flag of South Africa.svg Sergeal Petersen 9 Flag of South Africa.svg Fred Zeilinga 79
2017 13th154110395551–156521 Flag of South Africa.svg Raymond Rhule 6 Flag of South Africa.svg Fred Zeilinga 108
Pro14 2017–18 3rdQuarter-finals211290609554551563 Flag of South Africa.svg Makazole Mapimpi 10 Flag of South Africa.svg Fred Zeilinga 86
2018–19 6th218121541606–611246 Flag of South Africa.svg Rabz Maxwane 14 Flag of South Africa.svg Tian Schoeman 134
2019–20 4th13670342280+62732 Flag of South Africa.svg Rhyno Smith 10 Flag of South Africa.svg Ruan Pienaar 73
Super Rugby Unlocked 2020 4th632112610620317 Flag of South Africa.svg Rosko Specman 4 Flag of South Africa.svg Tian Schoeman 36
Preparation Series 2021 2nd Pool A4310159105542142 players3 Flag of South Africa.svg François Steyn 31

Current squad

The Cheetahs squad for 2024–25 EPCR Challenge Cup was: [4]

Cheetahs EPCR Challenge Cup squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wingers

Fullbacks

(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped.

    The following players have been included so far in the Free State Cheetahs squad for the 2025 Currie Cup Premier Division: [5] [6]

    Free State Cheetahs Currie Cup squad

    Props

    Hookers

    Locks

    Loose forwards

    Scrum-halves

    Fly-halves

    Centres

    Wingers

    Fullbacks

    (c) Denotes team captain and Bold denotes internationally capped.

      Coaches

      Captains

      Former players

      Springboks

      The following players have represented South Africa while representing the Cheetahs:

      NameYear
      Boetie McHardy 1912
      Hennie Potgieter 1928
      Tiny Francis 1931/32
      Jack Gage 1933
      Lappies Hattingh 1933
      Flip Geel 1949
      Piet Wessels 1951/52
      Basie Vivier 1956
      Harry Walker 1953
      Popeye Strydom 1955
      Chris de Wilzem 1956
      Bennie van Niekerk 1960/61
      Gert Cilliers 1963
      Nelie Smith 1963
      John Wessels 1965
      Piet Goosen 1965
      Sakkie van Zyl 1965
      Louis Slabber 1965
       
      NameYear
      Piet Greyling 1967
      Joggie Jansen 1970
      Jackie Snyman 1974
      Gerrie Germishuys 1974
      Leon Vogel 1974
      Jan Schlebusch 1974
      Johan de Bruyn 1974
      Gerrie Sonnekus 1974
      Kleintjie Grobler 1974
      Rampie Stander 1974
      André Bestbier 1974
      Edrich Krantz 1976
      De Wet Ras 1976
      Theuns Stofberg 1976
      Hermanus Potgieter 1977
      Dirk Froneman 1977
      Barry Wolmarans 1977
      Martiens le Roux 1980
      Gysie Pienaar 1980
       
      NameYear
      Eben Jansen 1981
      Rudi Visagie 1984
      Jaco Reinach 1986
      Christo Ferreira 1986
      Helgard Müller 1986
      André Joubert 1989
      Johan Styger 1992
      Ruben Kruger 1993
      Hentie Martens 1993
      Naka Drotské 1993
      Ollie le Roux 1994
      Brendan Venter 1994
      Chris Badenhorst 1994
      Os du Randt 1994
      André Venter 1996
      Werner Swanepoel 1997
      Rassie Erasmus 1997
      Jannie de Beer 1997
      Braam Els 1997
       
      NameYear
      Willie Meyer 1997
      Hendro Scholtz 2002
      Friedrich Lombard 2002
      CJ van der Linde 2002
      Juan Smith 2003
      Gerrie Britz 2004
      Hanyani Shimange 2004
      Michael Claassens 2004
      Gurthro Steenkamp 2004
      Meyer Bosman 2005
      Bevin Fortuin 2006
      Kabamba Floors 2006
      Jannie du Plessis 2007
      Barend Pieterse 2007
      Adriaan Strauss 2008
      Jongi Nokwe 2008
      Heinrich Brüssow 2008
      Wian du Preez 2009
      Coenie Oosthuizen 2010
       
      NameYear
      Ashley Johnson 2010
      Johan Goosen 2012
      Raymond Rhule 2012
      Trevor Nyakane 2013
      Piet van Zyl 2013
      Cornal Hendricks 2014
      Lood de Jager 2014
      Oupa Mohoje 2014
      Francois Venter 2016
      Uzair Cassiem 2016
      Ox Nché 2018
      Rosko Specman 2021

      Records

      Pro14 records

      The Cheetahs' Pro14 records are as follows (updated 11 February 2018):

      Team Match Records
      RecordOppositionVenueSeason
      Biggest win: Southern Kings Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium , Port Elizabeth 2017–18 24
      Heaviest defeat: Munster Thomond Park, Limerick 2017–18 33
      Highest score: Zebre Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2017–18 54
      Most points conceded: Munster Thomond Park, Limerick 2017–18 51
      Most tries: Zebre Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2017–18 8
      Most tries conceded: Munster Thomond Park, Limerick 2017–18 8
      Player Match Records
      RecordPlayerOppositionVenueSeason
      Most points by a player: Ernst Stapelberg Leinster Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2017–18 18
      Most tries by a player: Nico Lee Southern Kings Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium , Port Elizabeth 2017–18 3
      Most conversions by a player: Ernst Stapelberg Zebre Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2017–18 7
      Most penalties by a player: Ernst Stapelberg Leinster Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2017–18 4
      Ernst Stapelberg Glasgow Warriors Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2017–18 4
      Most drop goals by a player:No drop goals yet
      Team Season Records
      RecordMatchesSeason
      Most team points:in 14 matches 2017–18 430
      Most team tries:in 14 matches 2017–18 53
      Player Season Records
      RecordPlayerSeason
      Most points by a player: Fred Zeilinga 2017–18 79
      Most tries by a player: Makazole Mapimpi 2017–18 10
      Most conversions by a player: Fred Zeilinga 2017–18 21
      Most penalties by a player: Ernst Stapelberg 2017–18 14
      Most drop goals by a player:No drop goals yet
      Player Career Records
      RecordPlayerSeasons
      Most appearances: Rynier Bernardo 2017–18 14
      Aranos Coetzee 2017–18 14
      Charles Marais 2017–18 14
      Ox Nché 2017–18 14
      Shaun Venter 2017–18 14
      Most points: Fred Zeilinga 2017–18 79
      Most tries: Makazole Mapimpi 2017–18 10
      Most conversions: Fred Zeilinga 2017–18 21
      Most penalties: Ernst Stapelberg 2017–18 14
      Most drop goals:No drop goals yet

      Super Rugby records

      The Cheetahs' Super Rugby records are as follows:

      Team Match Records
      RecordOppositionVenueSeason
      Biggest win: Sunwolves Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2016 75
      Heaviest defeat: Hurricanes Westpac Stadium , Wellington 2017 54
      Highest score: Sunwolves Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2016 92
      Most points conceded: Brumbies Canberra Stadium , Canberra 2010 61
      Hurricanes Westpac Stadium , Wellington 2010 61
      Most tries: Sunwolves Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2016 14
      Most tries conceded: Brumbies Canberra Stadium , Canberra 2010 9
      Hurricanes Westpac Stadium , Wellington 2010 9
      Player Match Records
      RecordPlayerOppositionVenueSeason
      Most points by a player: Meyer Bosman Stormers Newlands Stadium , Cape Town 2006 26
      Most tries by a player: Rayno Benjamin Stormers Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2011 3
      Sergeal Petersen Sunwolves Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2016 3
      Sarel Pretorius Hurricanes Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2011 3
      Paul Schoeman Sunwolves Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2016 3
      Riaan Viljoen Lions Ellis Park Stadium , Johannesburg 2011 3
      Most conversions by a player: Niel Marais Sunwolves Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2016 8
      Most penalties by a player: Meyer Bosman Stormers Newlands Stadium , Cape Town 2006 8
      Most drop goals by a player: Sias Ebersohn Hurricanes Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2011 2
      Riaan Viljoen Brumbies Free State Stadium , Bloemfontein 2011 2
      Team Season Records
      RecordMatchesSeason
      Most team points:in 16 matches 2011 435
      Most team tries:in 15 matches 2016 47
      Player Season Records
      RecordPlayerSeason
      Most points by a player: Sias Ebersohn 2011 179
      Most tries by a player: Sergeal Petersen 2016 9
      Sarel Pretorius 2011 9
      Most conversions by a player: Sias Ebersohn 2011 32
      Most penalties by a player: Sias Ebersohn 2011 33
      Most drop goals by a player: Sias Ebersohn 2011 2
      Naas Olivier 2010 2
      Joe Pietersen 2015 2
      Riaan Viljoen 2011 2
      Player Career Records
      RecordPlayerSeasons
      Most appearances: Adriaan Strauss 20072014 97
      Most points: Johan Goosen 20122014 331
      Most tries: Sarel Pretorius 20092015 24
      Most conversions: Johan Goosen 20122014 46
      Most penalties: Johan Goosen 20122014 70
      Most drop goals: Sias Ebersohn 20102011 2
      Naas Olivier 20092010 2
      Joe Pietersen 2015 2
      Riaan Viljoen 20102011 2

      See also

      References

      1. "It's a new generation Cheetah!" (Press release). Cheetahs. 3 December 2015. Archived from the original on 7 December 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
      2. 1 2 "Central Cheetahs". CRFU. Archived from the original on 20 March 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2007.
      3. "TashiTagg". Who Will Get The Fifth Franchise?. Archived from the original on 22 August 2005. Retrieved 19 February 2006.
      4. "EPCR Challenge Cup Players". Cheetahs. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
      5. @cheetahsrugby; (25 July 2025). "The Fowards! Toyota Cheetahs Squad for the Carling Currie Cup" . Retrieved 26 July 2025 via Instagram.
      6. @cheetahsrugby; (25 July 2025). "The Toyota Cheetahs Backs for the Carling Currie Cup" . Retrieved 26 July 2025 via Instagram.