That is the message from a group of former Western Province and Blue Bull Springbok rugby players, sportsmen and business leaders in response to rumours that the Toyota Cheetahs and the Southern Kings may be kicked out of the PRO14 League.

Amongst the Cheetah supporters are three former Springbok captains, Morné du Plessis, Theuns Stofberg and Wynand Claassen, former Springbok lock Frik du Preez, the former Springbok and WP coach Dawie Snyman and the Olympic gold medalist swimmer Ryk Neethling.

According to reports in South Africa and Europe, the PRO14 could expand to include the four South African Super Rugby franchises the Sharks, Blue Bulls, Lions and Stormers, at the expense of the Cheetahs and Southern Kings. The PRO14 might become the PRO16 from as early as the 2021-22 season, with reports suggesting the Cheetahs and Kings will only stay on if the competition was expanded to 18 teams: an unlikely scenario.

The speculation comes in the wake of New Zealand Rugby’s plans to drop South African and Argentinean teams from Super Rugby next year.  According to NZ Rugby, the planned revamp of the flagship Southern Hemisphere tournament would include New Zealand’s five existing teams, one team from the Pacific and two to four from Australia.

Former Springbok captain Theuns Stofberg says he finds it difficult to believe the rumours. "Should the whole of the Free State province, the Northern Cape and Eastern Cape be sidelined, it would dramatically affect a large section of the country's rugby landscape. Free State, along with the Western Province, is probably the biggest producer and cultivator of rugby talent in the country. At the same time, the Eastern Cape is the cradle of black rugby talent. A lack of international exposure will not only be devastating to those areas: it will have a ripple effect on the rest of South Africa and therefore Springbok rugby. It  simply cannot be allowed.”

Du Plessis, who managed Francois Pienaar’s victorious Springbok World Cup team in 1995, says he admires and supports the Cheetahs for what they have achieved with limited resources and for their contribution to SA and world rugby. “I certainly hope that there is a place for them in any new plans for rugby’s future.”

Claassen, who played for the Blue Bulls and became Springbok captain as a Natalian, says it would be tragic if the Toyota Cheetahs are given the middle finger. “It would be extremely shortsighted and most certainly not in the interest of South African rugby. I’m saying this purely from a rugby perspective as I have no allegiance to the Free State.”

Dawie Snyman, who coached Western Province to five consecutive Currie Cup wins in the eighties, admits that he gets emotional about the direction South African rugby is headed. “Instead of decentralising rugby and stimulating and strengthening the game in rural areas and on a club level, the powers that be at SA Rugby are doing the opposite. If teams such as the Cheetahs, Griquas and the Southern Kings are sidelined, it will be the beginning of the end of South African rugby.”

Frik du Preez, South Africa’s Rugby Player of the Twentieth Century, agrees: “If teams such as the Cheetahs and rugby in the rural areas are harmed, Springbok rugby will gradually bleed to death. For Pete’s sake, they are the Currie Cup champions! I don’t have the answers, but one thing is certain: SA rugby is not on the right track.”

Olympic Gold medalist Ryk Neethling makes no bones about the fact that he is a passionate Cheetahs supporter. “Everyone who knows something about rugby, will realise what massive impact the Cheetahs have on SA rugby. “The way the Free State has been treated over the years is not only sad, but boggles the mind. No team plays a more expansive and enterprising brand of rugby than the Cheetahs.”

Mr. Frans Stroebel, for three decades Dr. Anton Rupert’s right-hand man in the Rembrandt-group, says Free State has always been the centre of South Africa’s trek trails, not only in its political history, but also rugby wise. “For dedicated rugby experts, the Cheetahs are the number one team. For the rest of the country, they are undoubtedly any rugby lover’s second team.”

Reacting to the voices of support from outside the province, Cheetahs Springbok loose forward Oupa Mohoje says it is encouraging and heart-warming. “Rumours such as the one that the Cheetahs are going to be ousted from international competition, naturally have a demoralising effect on the players. Our coach, Hawie Fourie, told us not to pay any attention to the rumours and focus on the game, so we are looking forward to the new season.”

Mohoje, a product of HTS in Bloemfontein, confirmed that he has fully recovered from a knee injury which sidelined him for the best of two years. He was, in fact, just passed fit to play before the PRO14 season was halted by the Covid-19 pandemic back in March.  He says he is grateful for the Toyota Cheetahs’ support during his long recovery period.

Cheetahs captain Ruan Pienaar also welcomed the support of former Springboks from other unions. He believes it will encourage the team to further build on their innovative and expansive style of rugby.  “‘We are confident the Cheetahs will be part of Pro Rugby going forward, whether it’s a 14-, 16- or 18-team tournament. The Cheetahs have done well since joining the PRO14 in 2017, reaching the playoffs in their first season. They’ve remained competitive and play a brand of rugby that people enjoy watching.

“Every Cheetahs player will tell you they enjoy playing in the PRO14. Teams like Leinster and Ulster have world-class players and most of the British & Irish Lions squad play in the PRO14. It’s been a big challenge for us, but really enjoyable and we’ve learned a lot.”

The Cheetahs are in the meantime not resting on their laurels, but working hard on their come-back strategy once rugby is resumed. The coaches, players and management are working hard to further unlock the Toyota Cheetahs’ extensive support base and commercial value and to strengthen their rightful place in South African and world rugby. They are also planning the Free State Rugby Union's 125-year celebrations later this year."