Free State Cheetahs

South African rugby union team

Not to be confused with Cheetahs (rugby union).

Rugby team

Free State Cheetahs

Full name| Free State Cheetahs
Union| Free State Rugby Union
Emblem(s)| Cheetah
Founded| 1895; 125 years ago
Region| Free State, South Africa
Ground(s)| Free State Stadium (Capacity: 48,000)
Coach(es)| Frans Steyn
Captain(s)| Victor Sekekete
League(s)| Currie Cup
2022| Semi-finalist
1st on log

1st kit

2nd kit

|

Official website
www.fscheetahs.co.za
Current season

The Free State Cheetahs (formerly Orange Free State), currently named the Toyota Free State Cheetahs due to sponsorship reasons, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They are governed by the Free State Rugby Union and are based at the 48,000 capacity Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. The Cheetahs have won the Currie Cup six times, with five of the wins coming since 2005, including winning the cup three times consecutively from 2005 to 2007. Since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, they have been considered one of South Africa's "Big 5" provincial rugby Unions.

The Cheetahs are a very well supported team across the Free State as well having large fan bases in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria.[citation needed] They are also known as the darlings of South African rugby, with many other South African rugby fans adopting them as their second team especially when they take on any of the other "Big 5" teams.[citation needed] The Cheetahs average home crowds of approximately 17,000 in the Currie Cup when they play at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.[citation needed] Their biggest rivals are traditionally Western Province. However, in recent times the Blue Bulls have also become fierce rivals of the Cheetahs.[citation needed]

## History

[edit]

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. Just two seasons later, the Orange Free State met Northern Transvaal again in the Currie Cup final, losing 12–6 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. The following season, Orange Free State met the Western Province in the final, defeating them 33–16 in Bloemfontein, claiming their first Currie Cup championship. The next season, Orange Free State met Northern Transvaal in the Currie Cup final again, though Northern Transvaal defeated them 27–12 in Pretoria. For the fourth successive time, Orange Free State were in the final again, and again with Northern Transvaal, who defeated them 13–9.

They met Northern Transvaal in the 1981 season final. Northern Transvaal won 23–16. The Orange Free State/Free State Cheetahs made two final appearances in the 1990s, being runners-up to Transvaal and the Western Province in 1994 and 1997 respectively. In 2004, they were runners-up to the Blue Bulls in the final. However, the following season, the Free State defeated them in the final, 29 points to 25. The Free State finished at the top of the table of the 2006 season, and defeated the Sharks in their home semi to advance to their third final in as many years. The Cheetahs hosted the final, which ended in a 28-all draw after 20 minutes of extra-time.

In the 2007 season, the FS Cheetahs continued their great form, winning 13 of the 14 games before the finals. After beating the Blue Bulls in the semis at home, they won the Currie Cup for a third consecutive time by coming from behind to beat the Golden Lions by 20–18 in the final.

In the 2016 season, they emerged undefeated in the Currie Cup, and beat the Blue Bulls in the final 36 – 16.

## Currie Cup finals

[edit]

Season  | Winners  | Score  | Runner-up  | Venue

|
|
|
|

1973  | Northern Transvaal | 30–22  | Orange Free State  | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
1975  | Northern Transvaal | 12–6  | Orange Free State  | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
1976  | Orange Free State  | 33–16  | Western Province | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
1977  | Northern Transvaal | 27–12  | Orange Free State  | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
1978  | Northern Transvaal | 13–9  | Orange Free State  | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
1981  | Northern Transvaal | 23–6  | Orange Free State  | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
1994  | Transvaal1 | 56–35  | Orange Free State  | Springbok Park, Bloemfontein
1997  | Western Province | 14–12  | Free State Cheetahs2 | Newlands, Cape Town
2004  | Blue Bulls3 | 42–33  | Free State Cheetahs  | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
2005  | Free State Cheetahs  | 29–25  | Blue Bulls | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
2006  | Free State Cheetahs  | 28–284 | Blue Bulls | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
2007 | Free State Cheetahs  | 20–18  | Golden Lions1 | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
2009 | Blue Bulls | 36–24  | Free State Cheetahs  | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
2016 | Free State Cheetahs  | 36–16  | Blue Bulls | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
2019 | Free State Cheetahs  | 31–28  | Golden Lions | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
2023 | Free State Cheetahs  | 25–17  | 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

[edit]

Season  | Winners  | Score  | Runner-up  | Venue

|
|
|
|

2000  | Free State  | 44–24  | Griquas | Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
2008  | Blue Bulls | 25–21  | Free State  | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
2010  | Blue Bulls | 31–29  | Free State  | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

## Bankfin Nite Series finals

[edit]

Season  | Winners  | Score  | Runner-up  | Venue

|
|
|
|

1996 | Free State  | 46–34  | Border | Bloemfontein

## Current squad

[edit]

The following players were included in the Free State Cheetahs squad for the 2023 Currie Cup Premier Division:[1]

Free State Cheetahs Currie Cup squad

Props

* Dolph Botha
* Aranos Coetzee
* Marné Coetzee
* Schalk Ferreira
* Wayrin Losper
* Boeta Loubser
* Nqoba Mxoli
* Kevin Stevens
* Alulutho Tshakweni
* Conraad van Vuuren
* Hencus van Wyk
* Lawrence Victor

Hookers

* Jacques Goosen
* Marko Janse van Rensburg
* Marnus van der Merwe
* Louis van der Westhuizen
* Janus Venter

Locks

* Rynier Bernardo
* Jean Droste
* Ruan Janse van Rensburg
* Sibabalo Qoma
* Victor Sekekete (c)
* Johnre Stopforth
* Mzwanele Zito

Loose forwards

* George Cronjé
* Dian Koen
* Daniel Maartens
* Thabang Mahlasi
* Oupa Mohojé
* Andisa Ntsila
* Friedle Olivier
* Jeandré Rudolph
* Paul Schoeman
* Roelof Smit
* Gideon van der Merwe

Scrum-halves

* Zenedine Booysen
* Branden de Kock
* Rewan Kruger
* Juan-Dee Olivier

Fly-halves

* Reinhardt Fortuin
* George Lourens
* Siya Masuku

Centres

* Evardi Boshoff
* David Brits

Wingers

* Enver Brandt
* Thoubaan Gabriels
* Xolisa Guma
* Munier Hartzenberg
* Daniel Kasende
* Tapiwa Mafura
* Marcell Muller

Fullbacks

* Cohen Jasper
* Andell Loubser
* Siyasanga Sazile
* Siba Xamlashe

(cc) Denotes team co-captains and Bold denotes internationally capped.

## Springboks

[edit]

| Name  | Year

|

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
|  | Name  | Year

|

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
|  | Name  | Year

|

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
|  | Name  | Year

|

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
|  | Name  | Year

|

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Currie Cup Players". Free State Cheetahs. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Currie Cup

Teams|

| Premier Division:|

* Blue Bulls
* Free State Cheetahs
* Golden Lions
* Griffons
* Griquas
* Pumas
* Sharks
* Western Province

|

First Division:|

* Boland Cavaliers
* Border Bulldogs
* Eastern Province Elephants
* Falcons
* Leopards
* SWD Eagles

Seasons|

| Board Trophy:|

* 1889

|

Amateur era:|

* 1892
* 1894
* 1895
* 1897
* 1898
* 1899
* 1904
* 1906
* 1908
* 1911
* 1914
* 1920
* 1922
* 1925
* 1927
* 1929
* 1932
* 1934
* 1936
* 1939
* 1946
* 1947
* 1950
* 1952
* 1954
* 1956
* 1957–1959
* 1964
* 1966
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* Div A
* Div B
* Tphy A
* Tphy B
* 1989
* Div A
* Div B
* Tphy A
* Tphy B
* 1990
* Div A
* Div B
* Tphy
* 1991
* CC
* CC/Ce
* Div A
* Div B
* Ce/Ru
* Div C
* Div D
* 1992
* CC
* CC/Ce
* Cen A
* Cen B
* Ce/Ru
* Rur A/B
* Rur B
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995

Professional era:|

* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* Top 8
* Bf Cup
* Qual
* 2001
* Top 8
* Bf Cup
* Qual
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* Prem
* 1st
* 2005
* Prem
* 1st
* 2006
* Prem
* 1st
* 2007
* Prem
* 1st
* 2008
* Prem
* 1st
* 2009
* Prem
* 1st
* 2010
* Prem
* 1st
* 2011
* Prem
* 1st
* 2012
* Prem
* 1st
* 2013
* Prem
* 1st
* 2014
* Prem
* 1st
* Qual
* 2015
* Prem
* 1st
* Qual
* 2016
* Prem
* 1st
* Qual
* 2017
* Prem
* 1st
* 2018
* Prem
* 1st
* 2019
* Prem
* 1st
* 2020–21
* Prem
* 2021
* Prem
* 1st
* 2022
* Prem
* 1st
* 2023
* Prem
* 1st
* 2024
* Prem
* 1st

* v
* t
* e

Rugby Challenge

Teams|

* Blue Bulls XV
* Boland Cavaliers
* Border Bulldogs
* Eastern Province Elephants
* Falcons
* Free State XV
* Golden Lions XV
* Griffons
* Griquas
* Leopards
* Pumas
* Sharks XV
* SWD Eagles
* Welwitschias
* Western Province
* Zimbabwe

Seasons|

* 2017
* 2018
* 2019

* v
* t
* e

Vodacom Cup (defunct)

Teams|

* Blue Bulls
* Boland Cavaliers
* Border Bulldogs
* Eastern Province Kings
* Falcons
* Free State XV
* Golden Lions
* Griffons
* Griquas
* Leopards XV
* Limpopo Blue Bulls
* Pampas XV
* Pumas
* Sharks XV
* Simba XV
* SWD Eagles
* Welwitschias
* Western Province

Seasons|

* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015

* v
* t
* e

Rugby union in South Africa

Governing body|

* South African Rugby Union

National teams|

| Men's|

* Springboks
* 'A'
* 7's
* Amateurs
* U-21
* U-20
* Schoolboys

|

Women's|

* Women's
* 7's

Competitions|

| International|

* South Africa at the Rugby World Cup
* World Rugby Sevens Series
* South Africa Sevens
* South Africa Women's Sevens
* World Rugby U20 Championship
* United Rugby Championship
* The Rugby Championship

|

Provincial|

* Currie Cup
* SA Cup

Club|

* Gold Cup
* Varsity Rugby
* Women's Varsity Cup

Women's clubs|

* Women's Premier Division

Youth rugby|

* Craven Week

Defunct|

* Vodacom Cup
* Rugby Challenge
* Mzanzi Challenge

Related articles|

* International players
* Rugby union and apartheid
* Springbok colours

* v
* t
* e

Free State Cheetahs - current squad

Forwards|

* Rynier Bernardo
* Dolph Botha
* Aranos Coetzee
* Marné Coetzee
* Jean Droste
* Schalk Ferreira
* Jacques Goosen
* Marko Janse van Rensburg
* Ruan Janse van Rensburg
* Dian Koen
* Wayrin Losper
* Boeta Loubser
* Daniel Maartens
* Thabang Mahlasi
* Oupa Mohojé
* Nqoba Mxoli
* Andisa Ntsila
* Friedle Olivier
* Sibabalo Qoma
* Jeandré Rudolph
* Paul Schoeman
* Victor Sekekete
* Roelof Smit
* Kevin Stevens
* Johnre Stopforth
* Alulutho Tshakweni
* Gideon van der Merwe
* Louis van der Westhuizen
* Hencus van Wyk
* Janus Venter
* Lawrence Victor
* Mzwanele Zito

Backs|

* Zinedine Booysen
* Evardi Boshoff
* Enver Brandt
* David Brits
* Branden de Kock
* Robert Ebersohn
* Reinhardt Fortuin
* Thoubaan Gabriels
* Xolisa Guma
* Munier Hartzenberg
* Daniel Kasende
* Rewan Kruger
* Cohen Jasper
* Andell Loubser
* George Lourens
* Tapiwa Mafura
* Marcell Muller
* Juan-Dee Olivier
* Ruan Pienaar
* Siyasanga Sazile
* Siba Xamlashe

Coach|

* Hawies Fourie

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