Rugby
It is going to be total rugby darkness - Ferreira─── MORGAN PIEK 13:51 Mon, 27 Jul 2020
The former Springbok flanker, Kulu Ferreira, has predicted the end of rugby in the Free State should the Toyota Cheetahs be pulled out of the Guinness PRO14 in order to make way for the South African Super Rugby franchises.
It is not the first time that the Cheetahs are fighting for their survival in a major competition after they were booted from Super Rugby in 2017.
This prompted the central franchise to seek other options, and in a ground-breaking move, they joined Celtic Rugby to participate in the PRO14 after it was expanded to include the Cheetahs and Southern Kings.
In their first campaign, the Cheetahs made the play-offs, while during the 2019/20 season they were well on their way to reach the knockout stage again before the global Covid-19 pandemic brought rugby to a grinding halt.
While he never played his senior rugby for the Free State, the Kroonstad-born Ferreira played for Western Province in the ’80s and captained the Northern Free State in the Craven Week during the late ’70s.
Speaking to OFM Sport, Ferreira, warned that getting rid of the Cheetahs will have dire consequences.
“If that is going to happen then I can tell you that it is going to be total rugby darkness in the Free State or Bloemfontein. It will mean the end of competitive rugby in the Free State.
“I cannot understand that the Cheetahs are set for a raw deal again and why it always has to happen to them I don’t know.
“If you have a look at how competitive they have been in the current PRO14 and the fact that they are defending Currie Cup champions, I just see total darkness if they are excluded.
“Over the last how many years the Cheetahs formed quite a big and important part relating to the development of players. One just has to have a look at Grey College and the University of the Free State Shimlas, and the Central University of the Free State Ixias, who has been making a name for themselves in Varsity Cup rugby.
“I can only request that the top brass at the Cheetahs start creating a forum, stating that they wanted to and will remain a part of PRO Rugby. I trust that they will support us in this regard.”
The PRO14 is set to resume towards the end of August with a series of home-and-away derbies before the play-offs. As it stands with Covid-19 in South Africa is seems highly unlikely that the Cheetahs and the Kings will be able to play in their two fixtures.
@MorganPiek OFM Sport
