Free State Cheetahs
Encyclopedia
The Free State Cheetahs (formerly the Orange Free State), currently named the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, for sponsorship reasons, are a South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

n rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...

 team that participates in the annual Currie Cup
Currie Cup
The Currie Cup tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring , featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces...

 tournament
Tournament
A tournament is a competition involving a relatively large number of competitors, all participating in a sport or game. More specifically, the term may be used in either of two overlapping senses:...

. They are governed by the Free State Rugby Union and are based at the 37,076-capacity Vodacom Park
Free State Stadium
The Free State Stadium , also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used mainly for rugby union and association football...

 in Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...

. The Cheetahs won the Currie Cup 4 times, three times consecutively from 2005-2007.

History

The Orange Free State Rugby Union was established in 1895, but did not make it to their first Currie Cup
Currie Cup
The Currie Cup tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring , featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces...

 final appearance until 1973, when they lost to Northern Transvaal 30-22 at Loftus Versfeld
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final...

. 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
2006 Currie Cup
The 2006 ABSA Currie Cup season was contested from June through to October. The Currie Cup is an annual domestic competition for rugby union clubs in South Africa...

, 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
Golden Lions
The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason...

 by 20-18 in the final.

Currie Cup

Season Winners Score Runner-up Venue
1973 Northern Transvaal
Blue Bulls
The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...

30 - 22 Orange Free State Loftus Versfeld
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final...

, Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...

1975 Northern Transvaal
Blue Bulls
The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...

12 - 6 Orange Free State Free State Stadium
Free State Stadium
The Free State Stadium , also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used mainly for rugby union and association football...

, Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...

1976 Orange Free State 33 - 16 Western Province Free State Stadium
Free State Stadium
The Free State Stadium , also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used mainly for rugby union and association football...

, Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...

1977 Northern Transvaal
Blue Bulls
The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...

27 - 12 Orange Free State Loftus Versfeld
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final...

, Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...

1978 Northern Transvaal
Blue Bulls
The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...

13 - 9 Orange Free State Free State Stadium
Free State Stadium
The Free State Stadium , also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used mainly for rugby union and association football...

, Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...

1981 Northern Transvaal
Blue Bulls
The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...

23 - 6 Orange Free State Loftus Versfeld
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final...

, Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...

1994 Transvaal
Golden Lions
The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason...

1
56 - 35 Orange Free State Springbok Park
Springbok Park
OUTsurance Oval is a multi-purpose stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa. It is currently used mostly for cricket matches. It is the home of the Eagles cricket team...

, Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...

1997 Western Province 14 - 12 Free State Cheetahs2 Newlands
Newlands Stadium
Newlands Stadium, currently referred to as DHL Newlands for sponsorship reasons, is located in Cape Town, South Africa.The stadium currently has a capacity of 51,900 people, but is not an all seater venue....

, Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...

2004 Blue Bulls
Blue Bulls
The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...

3
42 - 33 Free State Cheetahs Loftus Versfeld
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final...

, Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...

2005 Free State Cheetahs 29 - 25 Blue Bulls
Blue Bulls
The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...

Loftus Versfeld
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final...

, Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...

2006 Free State Cheetahs 28 - 284 Blue Bulls
Blue Bulls
The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...

Vodacom Park
Free State Stadium
The Free State Stadium , also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used mainly for rugby union and association football...

, Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...

2007
2007 Currie Cup
The 2007 ABSA Currie Cup season was contested from June through to October. The Currie Cup is an annual domestic competition for provincial rugby union teams in South Africa...

Free State Cheetahs 20 - 18 Golden Lions
Golden Lions
The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason...

1
Vodacom Park
Free State Stadium
The Free State Stadium , also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used mainly for rugby union and association football...

, Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...

2009 Blue Bulls
Blue Bulls
The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...

36 - 24 Free State Cheetahs Loftus Versfeld
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final...

, Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...


Current squad


Springboks

EWLINE
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
Basie Vivier
Stefanus Sebastian "Basie" Vivier was a South African rugby union player. He was capped for South Africa five times in 1956, though he was first selected to play for the Springboks on the 1951-52 South Africa rugby tour of Great Britain, Ireland and France; but was never selected for an...

1956
Harry Walker 1953
Popeye Strydom
Popeye Strydom
Coenraad Frederik "Popeye" Strydom was a South Africa national rugby union team player. In all, Strydom made six appearances for the Springboks between 1955 and 1958....

1955
Chris de Wilzem 1956
Bennie van Niekerk
Gert Cilliers 1963
Nelie Smith 1963
John Wessels 1965
Piet Goosen 1965
Sakkie van Zyl 1965
Louis Slabber 1965
  EWLINE
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
Theuns Stofberg
Theuns Stofberg was the captain of the South Africa national rugby union team for four tests between 1980 and 1984. He is remembered for his speed and his size, both remarkable for a flank at that time, and both factors that do not generally go together in rugby where size does truly matter.He was...

1976
Hermanus Potgieter 1977
Dirk Froneman 1977
Barry Wolmarans 1977
Martiens le Roux 1980
Gysie Pienaar 1980
  EWLINE
Eben Jansen 1981
Rudie Visagie 1984
Jaco Reinach 1986
Christo Ferreira 1986
Helgard Muller 1986
André Joubert
André Joubert
André Joubert is a former South African rugby union player. He was capped 34 times at fullback for the Springboks in the early 1990s, and amassed a total of 115 Test Points from 10 tries, 17 penalties and 7 conversions....

1989
Johan Styger 1992
Ruben Kruger
Ruben Kruger
Ruben Jacobus Kruger, born in Vrede , was a South African rugby union player. He played as a flanker.-Career:...

1993
Hentie Martens 1993
Naka Drotské
Naka Drotske
Allen Erasmus 'Naka' Drotské is a former South African rugby union player, who played for the South Africa national rugby union team between 1993 and 1999.He played as a hooker ....

1993
Ollie le Roux
Ollie le Roux
Andre-Henri "Ollie" le Roux is a South African rugby union footballer who currently plays for Leinster.-Rugby career:...

1994
Brendan Venter
Brendan Venter
Brendan Venter is a former rugby union player who played at centre and also coached for London Irish. He is currently director of rugby at Saracens...

1994
Chris Badenhorst 1994
Os du Randt
Os du Randt
Jacobus Petrus du Randt, better known as Os du Randt , is a former South African rugby union loosehead prop who retired as the most-capped forward in the history of the Springboks...

1994
André Venter 1996
Werner Swanepoel 1997
Rassie Erasmus
Rassie Erasmus
Rassie Erasmus is the current coach of the Stormers rugby franchise in South Africa. Erasmus played mainly as a flanker for the Springboks at international level, for the Free State Cheetahs and the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup, and for the Cats in the Super 12...

1997
Jannie de Beer
Jannie de Beer
Jan Hendrik de Beer , nicknamed Jannie, is a South African former rugby union player. He played flyhalf for the South African national team, the Springboks. In all he represented the Springboks in 13 tests, scoring 183 points. He stands 1.82 meters tall, and weighs 87 kilograms...

1997
Braam Els 1997
  EWLINE
Willie Meyer 1997
Hendro Scholtz 2002
Freidrich Lombard 2002
CJ van der Linde
CJ van der Linde
CJ van der Linde is a South African rugby union footballer. His usual position is prop. He played for Leinster Rugby in the international Magners League from 2008–10, and currently plays for the Stormers....

2002
Juan Smith
Juan Smith
Juan Hugo Smith is a South African rugby union footballer. His usual position is at blindside flanker, although he has also played number eight, he plays for the Springboks. He plays for the Vodacom Cheetahs in the international Super 14 competition as well as the Free State Cheetahs in the...

2003
Gerrie Britz 2004
Hanyani Shimange 2004
Michael Claassens
Michael Claassens
Michael Claassens is a South African rugby union player for Bath Rugby in the English Aviva Premiership.Claassens previously played for the Free State Cheetahs and the Springboks, and plays as a scrum-half....

2004
Gurthro Steenkamp
Gurthro Steenkamp
Gurthrö Garth Steenkamp is a South African Rugby union player. He plays loosehead prop. Steenkamp currently plays for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup and the Bulls in the Super 14...

2004
Meyer Bosman
Meyer Bosman
Meyer Bosman is a South African rugby player, who currently plays for the Sharks franchise. He is a flyhalf , but has recently showed great ability in the inside-center position...

2005
Bevin Fortuin 2006
Kabamba Floors
Kabamba Floors
Lucas "Kabamba" Floors is a South African rugby union footballer who plays for the Free State Cheetahs in the domestic Currie Cup club competition, and for the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs in the international Super 14 competition...

2006
Jannie du Plessis
Jannie du Plessis
Jan Nathaniel "Jannie" du Plessis is a South African rugby union player, who plays as a prop for South Africa and the Sharks in Super Rugby...

2007
Barend Pieterse
Barend Pieterse
Barend Pieterse is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with the .He started playing his rugby for the in 2001. He played for them until 2004, when he moved to the . Between 2004 and 2010, he also frequently represented the Cats and Central Cheetahs franchises in the Super...

2007
Adriaan Strauss
Adriaan Strauss
Jan Adriaan Strauss, is a rugby hooker who represents Free State Cheetahs in the ABSA Currie Cup and Super 14. He made his international debut for South Africa on 19 July 2008 coming off the bench against Australia in the Tri Nations...

2008
Jongi Nokwe
Jongi Nokwe
Jongikhaya "Jongi" Nokwe is a South African rugby union footballer who plays as a winger for the . He's a former Springbok during the period in which he played for the Central Cheetahs franchise in the Super 14 tournament, and the Free State Cheetahs in the domestic Currie Cup competition...

2008
Heinrich Brussow
Heinrich Brussow
Heinrich Wilhelm Brüssow is a South African rugby union footballer. He plays for the Free State Cheetahs provincial team, Cheetahs in the international Super Rugby competition and the Springboks...

2008
Wian du Preez
Wian du Preez
Wian du Preez is a rugby union player for Munster in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup. He plays as a prop, primarily at loosehead.-Cheetahs:du Preez, a native of Free State, played for the Cheetahs from 2007 until 2010...

2009
Coenie Oosthuizen
Coenie Oosthuizen
Coenrad Victor Oosthuizen is a professional rugby union player who plays for Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup, Toyota Cheetahs in Super Rugby and was chosen for the Springboks squad in 2010 and 2011. He was schooled at Grey College.Coenie Oosthuizen plays in the loose-head prop position,...

2010
  EWLINE
Ashley Johnson
Ashley Johnson (rugby union)
Ashley Johnson is a professional Rugby Union player who presents Free State Cheetahs at provincial level, Toyota Cheetahs in the international Super Rugby series and the Springboks...

2010

External links

  • Official website
  • Cheetahs on SARugby.co.za
    South African Rugby Union
    The South African Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to the International Rugby Board...

  • Cheetahs on Suparugby.co.za
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