Rugby
Cheetahs women determined to succeed─── MORGAN PIEK 09:18 Tue, 01 Aug 2023
The Free State women’s rugby team are extra motivated ahead into this weekend’s final of the First Division competition in Bloemfontein, and they want to celebrate their success with the senior men’s team.
On the weekend the Free State secured a home final after thrashing the Limpopo Blue Bulls 75-5 in the semi-finals.
They will be up against the Eagirls of SWD, who in turn beat the Leopards 22-17 in George to secure their ticket to Bloemfontein.
The Cheetahs captain and Springbok, Bernice Strydom, who recently scored eight tries during the 135-0 mauling of the Pumas in Middleburg, told OFM Sport that they are targeting silverware, but they dream is to be promoted to the Premier Division and hopefully in doing so giving themselves and opportunity to turn professional
“The men winning the Currie Cup is definitely something that has motivated us, but I would not say that it is the main motivation.
“Our main focus and motivation is winning the final and the relegation so that we can move up to the Premier Division. That is definitely our biggest motivation.
“If we as female rugby players in the Free State can move up to the Premier Division, we might get contracts as well. That will be something that will help all female players in the province a lot. A lot of us are still working eight-to-five jobs, some of us are mothers, or still live in rural areas. So, for us it's not always as easy as it is for the men.
“What really motivates us and pushes us to better heights and levels is knowing that if we win the final and relegation game we can move up to the Premier Division and become professional rugby players if we get contracts.
“Having said that, the men did really motivate us a lot by winning the Currie Cup. We would like to celebrate with them if we win the final. I know we are going to win this final because every lady in the team is working extremely hard and the coaches are 100% behind us. They are working hard to help us with everything they can, so we definitely have something that we're working towards and the motivation is burning like fire inside of us.
“We're all working towards the same goal and dream - that is what is going to bring us success.”
Saturday’s final between the Cheetahs women and the SWD Eagirls at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 13:00.
Morgan Piek OFM Sport
