Despite scoring five tries in a heart-breaking loss to Boland in Round One of the 2025 Currie Cup, the Cheetahs are grappling with a brutal truth: effort alone doesn’t win matches. And for head coach Frans Steyn, it’s time to sharpen the edges if the Free State side is to stand tall again in South African rugby.
After a chaotic 37–35 defeat that ended in the 88th minute with Boland snatching a dramatic win in Wellington, questions have emerged not just about execution—but also about leadership, accountability, and whether the team has the mental steel to compete at a higher level.
In a candid conversation with former team mate and Octafield Funder Renaldo Bothma, Steyn reflected on the match and what it revealed about the current state of the team.
“We did it to ourselves,” said Steyn. “That first contact moment—whether you’re receiving or kicking off—is massive. And we lost that on the weekend.”
Despite having only 30–35% possession, the Cheetahs managed to score five tries, showing impressive attacking flashes in limited opportunities. But the lack of discipline in the early stages of the match and a whopping 180 tackles on defence told the story of a side constantly on the back foot.
“You can’t win games playing without the ball,” said Renaldo. “And if you’re doing that many tackles, it becomes a question of whether players can recover in time for a short turnaround – especially with a side like the Pumas waiting.”
Frans Steyn didn’t shy away from the physical and logistical challenges: “It’s a short turnaround. We played away, travelled back Monday morning, did walkthroughs instead of a full session to manage recovery. We’re trying to get the guys fresh and mentally ready for the weekend.”
But beyond fitness and drills lies the bigger picture—the culture being built at the Cheetahs, and whether the senior core is pulling their weight in getting the team over the line. With plenty of young talent coming through, questions are being asked about who steps up when it matters.
“At some point, senior players do need to put up their hands,” said Renaldo, pressing Steyn on the accountability front.
Frans’ response was thoughtful, but firm:
“It’s not anyone’s team. Not the seniors’, not the juniors’, and it’s definitely not mine. Each one of us is here to serve.”
He continued: “I want the players to take ownership whenever and wherever they must. But I don’t have a problem with the senior guys. We’ve had a lot of injuries. We’re building new combinations.”
He highlighted several positives: the emergence of 20-year-old prop Ben Pitout, the seamless job done by Franky stepping in for Rob Hunt, and the overall fight shown in the match. “There’s so much good going on,” Steyn insisted. “I’m still very happy with where we are.”
Still, for many supporters, sentiment won’t be enough. The Cheetahs need to start winning if they’re to gain traction for higher honours or attract meaningful sponsorships. A good culture matters—but in professional rugby, performance talks louder than philosophy.
As they prepare for a physical, in-form Pumas outfit in Round Two, the Cheetahs know they’ll need more than heart. They’ll need structure. Urgency. Precision. And perhaps, a few big voices in the changing room stepping up.
Because at some point, effort needs to translate into victories.
Key Takeaways for Cheetahs Fans:
- Five tries scored with only 30–35% possession – proof the attack is sharp when it gets the ball.
- 180 tackles made – highlighting a massive defensive workload due to poor territory and kick-off execution.
- Steyn’s focus: improve set-piece entry and early contact phases to stop starting on the back foot.
- Young guns rising: Ben Pitout (20) impressing, and depth being tested with injuries piling up.
- Big test ahead: A powerful Airlink Pumas side awaits this weekend in Bloemfontein.
Now the question is—can the Cheetahs turn potential into points on the log?
