As if history really wanted to test the Cheetahs’ backbone, it is ironic that Free State’s 125 th year of existence proved to be one of its very toughest. The world and rugby were turned upside down. Other unions also had some challenges, but we still feel that the decision-makers and leaders at SA Rugby inflicted the most harm on the Toyota Cheetahs with its PRO 16 decision.

Fate added to our woes: to lead Western Province and then lose with a penalty in injury time, is bitter medicine.

It offers only some consolation, but the Toyota Cheetahs could not have lost with greater honour. It says so much for the bravery and determination of the Free Staters. Frans Steyn was not only a symbol of Cheetah resilience, but his emotional interview after the match showed how motivated the team was and how disappointed they were about losing.

In 2020 we were excluded from the PRO 16 series, despite many influential rugby heroes voicing their support for the Toyota Cheetahs. This resulted in losing some of our top players as well as our forward coach, Corniel van Zyl, who accepted a position abroad. Team injuries took their toll. The match against the Lions was cancelled when the Toyota Cheetahs were on top form after beating the Bulls. That was the match in which the Toyota Cheetahs lost their experienced captain, Ruan Pienaar, through an injury that kept him out of the entire Carling Currie Cup season. He should be match fit soon.

In the midst of these setbacks, the coaching and player team dug in and delivered match performances we can all be proud of. We saw a new focus, motivation and the well-known Cheetah style of rugby that is so popular amongst South African and international rugby fans.

The popularity of a rugby coach is often influenced or determined by only one match or even a part of a match. Rugby fans easily question the coach’s ability, expertise and track record. Some motivate their displeasure with statistics. This is wrong and unfair. A coach has to play the hand he is dealt.  The best strategy, game plan and preparation can go wrong on the day or your opponent could be lucky and/or dominate a particular aspect of the game.

Our coach, Hawies Fourie, is on the receiving end of constructive, but also negative criticism. He deserves a medal for the way in which he has held the team together and made them believe in themselves. Thank you very much, Hawies! The Western Province’s World Cup forwards pack prevailed, although the Toyota Cheetahs, with far less ball possession, looked more dangerous and purposeful.

There is no point in contemplating what might have been. We are looking ahead. The Griquas match is waiting and it is important that the team ends the Carling Currie Cup on a high note and then prepare for the next challenge: in February when the Toyota Cheetahs take on the other four major franchises in a single round competition.

There are other exciting prospects including the possibility of playing in the Inter-Continental competition in Europe, as well as the possibility of another exciting tournament.

We should pause briefly to reflect on 2020. Then we have to remind ourselves: it is 2021, a new year with new goals, energy, circumstances and opportunities. Our challenge is to level our own playing field. May 2021 provide the attractive and exciting rugby that the Cheetahs have become known and loved for the past 125 years.

Harold Verster

Managing director: Toyota Free State Cheetahs

Boodskap van Harold Verster, besturende direkteur van die Toyota Vrystaat Cheetahs

So asof die geskiedenis die Cheetahs se ruggraat regtig wou toets, is dit ironies dat Vrystaat se 125 ste bestaansjaar een van sy  heel moeilikste was. Die wêreld en rugby is omgekeer. Ander unies het ook die wind van voor gekry het, maar ons voel steeds die besluitnemers en leiers in SA Rugby het die Toyota Cheetahs die meeste benadeel met die PRO 16 besluit.

Die noodlot het bygedra: om voor te loop teen die Westelike Provinsie en met 'n strafskop in beseringstyd te verloor, is bitter medisyne.

Dit is 'n skrale troos, maar die Toyota Cheetahs kon met geen groter eer só naelskraap verloor het nie. Dit spreek boekdele vir die Vrystaters se durf en deursettingsvermoë. Frans Steyn, simbool van Cheetah-vasbyt, se emosionele reaksie ná die wedstryd het gewys hoe gemotiveerd die span was en hoe teleurgesteld hulle oor die nederlaag was.

In 2020 is ons, ondanks talle invloedryke rugby-helde se steun vir die Toyota Cheetahs, uit die PRO16-reeks gelaat. Dit het meegebring het dat ons van ons top spelers verloor het, asook ons voorspelerafrigter, Corniel van Zyl, wat ‘n aanbod van oorsee aanvaar het. Boonop het beserings die span bloots gery. Die wedstryd teen die Leeus is afgestel toe die span op die kruin van die golf was ná sy sege oor die Bulle: ‘n wedstryd waarin die Toyota Cheetahs ook sy ervare kaptein, Ruan Pienaar, vir die res van die Curriebekerseisoen verloor het.

Te midde van al hierdie terugslae het die afrigterskorps en die spelers vasgebyt en die afgelope twee naweke vertonings gelewer waarop ‘n mens opreg trots kan wees. Daar was 'n nuwe fokus, motivering en die bekende Cheetahs-rugby wat só gewild onder Suid-Afrikaanse en internasionale rugbyliefhebbers is.

 'n Afrigter se gewildheid word dikwels beïnvloed of bepaal deur een wedstryd of selfs 'n deel daarvan. Sy vermoë en kundigheid word baie maklik bevraagteken. Party rugbygeesdriftiges maak somme om hul kritiek te bewys. Dit is verkeerd en onregverdig. 'n Afrigter moet die hand speel wat hy gedeel word. Die beste strategie, spelplan en voorbereiding kan soms op die dag verkeerd loop of jou opponent is eenvoudig gelukkig en/of sterker in ‘n bepaalde faset.

Ons afrigter, Hawies Fourie, kry soms opbouende, maar ook afbrekende kritiek. Hy verdien egter ‘n medalje vir die manier waarop hy die span bymekaar gehou en in hulself laat glo het. Baie dankie Hawies! Die WP se sterk Wêreldbekervoorry het uiteindelik die deurslag gegee, want die Toyota Cheetahs het, met minder balbesit, veel gevaarliker gelyk en meer doelgerig as die WP gespeel.

Dit gaan ons niks baat om te tob oor wat kon gewees het nie. Ons kyk nou vorentoe. Die wedstryd teen Griekwas wag en dit is belangrik vir die span om die Carling Curriebekerreeks op ‘n hoë noot af te sluit en dan voor te berei vir die volgende uitdaging:  in Februarie wanneer die Toyota Cheetahs die ander vier groot franchises in ’n enkelronde aandurf. 

Daar is ook ander opwindende vooruitsigte, waaronder die moontlikheid om aan die Inter-Continental-toernooi in Europa deel te neem; asook die moontlikheid van verdere  deelname aan ’n opwindende toernooi.

Ruan Pienaar behoort eersdaags weer te begin speel en met Johan Goosen wat geen geheim daarvan maak dat hy graag saam met sy gewese Grey-kollege en Montpellier-spanmaats (Pienaar en Steyn) vir die Cheetahs wil speel nie, is daar baie om na uit te sien.

Dis reg om kortliks by 2020 stil te staan. Daarna moet ons onsself herinner: dit is 2021, 'n nuwe jaar met nuwe doelwitte, energie, omstandighede en geleenthede. Ons uitdaging is om ons eie speelveld gelyk te maak. Mag 2021 vir die aanskoulike, opwindende rugby sorg waarvoor die Vrystaat en die Cheetahs die afgelope 125 jaar bekend en geliefd geword het!

Harold Verster

Besturende direkteur: Toyota Vrystaat Cheetahs