Union defends Cheetahs’ brand

The threat of being axed from Super Rugby has prompted the Free State Rugby Union to make a case for its continued existence, writes Craig Ray.

The union reacted on Tuesday after former Bok Joel Stransky told a New Zealand radio station the Cheetahs should be axed from Super Rugby along with the Southern Kings.

Over the course of the past month, there has been tension across both sides of the Indian Ocean, following a meeting of SA‚ New Zealand‚ Australia and Argentina rugby in London in March to discuss shrinking the tournament numbers.

Stransky told Radio Sport NZ that he “hoped the Cheetahs and Kings would be axed‚ leaving four strong South African teams”. He also said Cheetahs were “not financially viable”.

Stransky’s comments have clearly angered the union.

“The Cheetahs are one of very few South African rugby entities to show a healthy profit in the 2017 financial year and are financially sustainable‚” a Cheetahs statement read.

Stransky also noted: “We need four Super Rugby teams that are strong‚ willing and highly competitive‚ so we can breed a winning culture and that can go right the way up‚ hopefully‚ to Springbok level.”

This drew a sharp response from the Cheetahs: “The Cheetahs‚ the 2016 Currie Cup champions‚ are the conveyer belt for great young talent‚ coaches and administrators [Franco Smith‚ Neil Powell‚ Brendan Venter‚ Rassie Erasmus‚ Jacques Nienaber‚ Ian Schwartz]. By axing the Cheetahs from Super Rugby, this conveyer belt will come to a grinding halt.” /