Rugby
‘I’m proud of the guys, they gave it their all’ – Steyn─── MORGAN PIEK 08:34 Tue, 17 Sep 2024
“The players are tired and gone – there was nothing left out there on the field, so how can one be disappointed? For me, I’m proud of the guys, they gave it their all. There were mistakes and stuff like that … but that’s rugby.”
The Director of Rugby at the Toyota Cheetahs, Frans Steyn, has lauded his chargers following their Currie Cup semi-final against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.
The Cheetahs were dethroned as the Currie Cup champions following a 43-34 defeat at Ellis Park despite going up 14-0 within the first 11 minutes. The Lions showed the character which saw them topping the table after the round-robin stage.
Carl Wegner and Vernon Paulo putting in a hit on Rynhardt Jonker. Picture: Morgan Piek
The defeat was no doubt a bitter pill to swallow for the Free State, but the Lions have been the most consistent team throughout the competition.
Steyn told OFM Sport that he cannot fault the players for their effort and character.
“The players are tired and gone – there was nothing left out there on the field, so how can one be disappointed?” said Steyn.
“For me, I’m proud of the guys, they gave it their all. There were mistakes and stuff like that … but that’s rugby.
“We want to play that type of brand. We don’t want to go into the semi-final and start mauling and play that kind of rugby.
“It’s going to take some time to get that right, but judging by the last two weeks, it was a huge step in the right direction.”
The semi-final against the Lions was the winger Daniel Kasende’s last match for the team as he will now head to Swansea to resume his career at the Ospreys. The centre, Evardi Boshoff, who has been in sublime form since returning from an injury, also played in his last game for the Cheetahs in quite some time as he will also be heading back to the Ospreys.
Jeandré Rudolph is an injury concern for the Cheetahs. Picture: Morgan Piek
The Cheetahs will now turn their attention to the Toyota Cheetahs which will see them facing the Western Force from Australia, the Griffons, and the Emerging Ireland team next month. Following that they will enjoy a mandatory eight week break before focusing on the EPCR Challenge Cup.
On 2 October the Cheetahs will host the Western Force in Bloemfontein in the opening match of the Toyota Challenge.
