The team from Potchefstroom endured a tough SA Cup run, which ultimately led to a coaching change at the union.

On Saturday, the Leopards will face the Border Bulldogs at home in their opening match of the competition – a side they narrowly beat earlier this year. Their 28-25 win in East London was one of only two victories they managed in the SA Cup.

Riaan van Straten. Photo: LinkedIn

In their penultimate game, they were beaten 45-31 by the Valke, while a week later they signed off with a hard-fought 47-35 win against the SWD Eagles. Riaan van Straten, who has taken over as head coach, told OFM Sport that the team has a lot to prove.

“We’re very excited for the Currie Cup First Division to kick off this weekend. Like you said, it’s the bread and butter for the smaller unions – it’s our competition. This is the one where we want to perform.

“We had a very tough SA Cup – I think that’s an understatement. The Leopards didn’t do well. 

“But in the last two matches, we managed to turn the ship around a bit. After the changes in the coaching staff and quite a tough week at the union, we delivered a very solid performance against the Valke, even though we narrowly lost.

“Then we ground out a very good win against the SWD Eagles. So we’re looking to draw confidence from those two performances. We made a couple of key adjustments, and it’s largely the same squad.

“The players have seen that they are capable. It’s just about how you apply yourself in the field. We’re really looking forward to the start of the First Division.”

Charles Williams. Photo: Morgan Piek

Van Straten, who previously coached in Russia, added that although they beat Border earlier in the year, they will need to produce a much stronger performance this time around as they aim to start the competition on the right foot.

“The players have worked really hard. We haven’t had much time, but in the three-week preparation period, we’ve done as much as we possibly could. Now it’s a matter of getting onto the field and executing.

“We definitely want to start well, and we’re not underestimating Border. In the SA Cup, we only beat them by three points – it was a penalty after the hooter. So it was a very tough, grinding win, and quite far off our standards. But we’re determined to raise the bar and start strong in this competition.”

Saturday’s campaign opener between the Leopards and Border kicks off at 15:00 at Olën Park in Potchefstroom.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh