Since its inception the Free State Rugby Union was established in 1895 and has carved deep footprints in the landscape of South African rugby. Known for its unique brand of running rugby, the Cheetahs have grown in the hearts of all South African rugby lovers and fans abroad. The Toyota Cheetahs are renowned for being everybody's “second favourite team”, and this is reflected in the team’s viewership numbers and the growth in support base that the team has experienced over the past few years. 

Over recent years the Toyota Free State Cheetahs have become the domestic champions of South African rugby by winning the Currie Cup (South African Domestic Championship) on five occasions over the past 17 years. 

The vision of the Free State Cheetahs

We excel in a profitable organisation that is excited by playing a winning brand of rugby, loved and respected by all.

Mission

Our core business is to develop winning teams that will ensure that our supporters, sponsors, and the broad community respect our endeavours.  We strive to adhere to the philosophy of Bill Walsh – “if we do all the right things to precision, the score will take care of itself.”

We commit to

• Professionally manage rugby on all levels   
• Delight and entertain our  loyal supporters through a total rugby experience 
• Respect and grow the legacy and heritage of the Cheetah brand   
• Optimize our assets and finance 

Owners and Directors

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• Free State Rugby consists of the Free State Rugby Union and the Toyota Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd. 
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• The Union looks after amateur rugby in schools, clubs, women’s rugby, referees and other associations. 
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• The Cheetahs is a registered company and professional franchise in which the Union holds 100% of the shares.  There is a strong focus on sound corporate governance under the watchful eye of the independent Audit and Risk Committee of external financial and business experts.
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• Free State Ruby is accountable to SARU with several checks and balances. 
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Free State Rugby Union:  Union Council

Free State Rugby Union:  Executive Committee 

Coenraad Klopper, Me Mpho Sekulisa, Jan-Hendrik Cronje, Hennie Coetzee, Eugene Maddocks, , Lou Nieuwoudt, Charlie May.

The Union Council elects members of the Executive Committee

Free State Rugby Union:  Finance Committee 

Lou Niewoudt (Chairman), Charlie May, Conraad Klopper and Corne Els

Free State Rugby Union:  Disciplinary Committee 

Charles Dell  (Lovius Block, Convenor), Adv. Anton Roux  (Advocate Chambers), Adv. Jerry Morabe, 

Herklaas Venter (Lovius Block), Adrie Hechter  (Adrie Hechter Attorneys), Louis Radley  (Peyper & Sesele) 

Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd

Free State Cheetahs Board of Directors

Ryno Opperman (Chairman), Coenraad Klopper, Charlie May, Marius van Rensburg,  Lou Niewoudt.      

On invitation:  Corne Els.  

Free State Cheetahs Management and Finance Committee

Ryno Opperman (Chairman), Coenraad Klopper, Charlie May, Marius van Rensburg.

On invitation:  Corne Els

Free State Rugby Audit, Risk and Remuneration Committee (Union & (Pty.) Ltd.)

Prof. Arrie Schoonwinkel (Chairman), Anton Botha, Coenraad Klopper, Kobus Laubscher, Lou Niewoudt.   On Invitation:   Connie Hertzog, Corne Els.

Free State Cheetahs Top Management

Frans Steyn (Director of Rugby), Corne Els (Finance), Ruan Botha (Commercial), MJ Smith (Governance), Piet de Necker (Operations).

Free State Cheetahs Transformation Committee

, MJ Smith