Two-time world champion Frans Steyn was the consummate winner as a Springbok and he has set the same standards for the Cheetahs as he prepares to make his pro coaching debut this season.
Following the Cheetahs’ disappointing Challenge Cup campaign, where they failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time, Steyn made it clear that the time for learning lessons is over.
“We can’t keep making excuses,” the 37-year-old Steyn told Netwerk24. “We’ve played in the SA Cup, the Currie Cup and then the Challenge Cup – we saw moments of good rugby here and there, but we must keep taking steps forward.”
After losing out to the Lions in last year’s Currie Cup semi-finals, the Cheetahs opened the 2024-25 Challenge Cup with a 20-20 draw against Perpignan, bookending a win against Zebre with losses against Cardiff and Lyon.
The former Springbok, who earned 78 Test caps between 2006 and 2022, didn’t hide his disappointment in the results.
“We did not perform as we should have. We let people down. That’s something we need to iron out.”
READ: Frans Steyn to coach Cheetahs
Izak van der Westhuizen appears to be collateral damage in the process, with Steyn assuming coaching control of the team, aided by former Bok teammates Ruan Pienaar and Tiaan Liebenberg, while incoming Cheetahs CEO Rory Duncan is set to arrive early next week.
The Cheetahs are still awaiting confirmation of their participation in the SA Cup, the inaugural 10-team SA Cup which ran from March to May last year, replacing the Mzanzi Challenge to fill the gap between pre-season and the start of the Currie Cup Premier and First Division competitions.
Steyn’s plans have been boosted by the return to fitness of some players, including former Brumbies and Bulls fullback James Verity-Amm (knee), who last played in April, while teenage scrumhalf Christian van der Westhuizen is also back in the training group in place of USA halfback Ruben de Haas who has been loaned to MLR club New Orleans Gold.
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