When it comes to this sentiment, the Toyota Cheetahs are one of the richest in South Africa or even in the Southern Hemisphere.

Just as the case is with Bloemfontein Celtic - everyone who doesn’t support them as their first choice, regards the Cheetahs as their “darling team.”

Sadly the Cheetahs are poorer this week after the news broke late on Wednesday evening that arguably their biggest supporter has passed away.

Honiball Marais, a familiar face at the Toyota Stadium week-in and week-out, will be leaving an empty seat in the first row on the middle line of the open pavilion.

Through thick and thin, sunshine and rain, snow or gale force winds, Marais and his good mate, Jakes Jacobs, lead the charge clad in one of kind orange and white supporters’ suits, big orange cowboy hats and Cheetahs flags.

After a match, the pair could always be found waiting for the players at the entrance of the grand slam to collect autographs and tell the boys they played well, even if they had a shocker.

Having dealt with Marais myself in the past, I will never forget the friendly smile and positive words that greeted me Friday and Saturday evenings as I started making my way home from the game.

Throughout the morning, the tributes have continued to pour in for the die-hard Cheetahs fan.

Even some of the current and former Cheetahs players, such as prop Maks van Dyk, Springbok wing Cornel Hendricks, and Newport & Gwent Dragons lock, Ligtoring Landman, conveyed their condolences.

While Marias was perhaps a small player in the bigger scheme of things, he was without a doubt a larger than life character.

Wouldn’t it be a fantastic gesture if the team could dedicate Saturday’s match to one of their most loyal sons? And the cherry on the cake would of course be a win over the Australians.

The circumstances of Marais’ untimely passing are not clear at this stage, but one thing is for sure – he will be missed when the Cheetahs tackle the Brumbies on Saturday.

Details of Marais’ funeral arrangements will be published once they are confirmed.


Morgan Piek OFM News