The Cheetahs are making their fourth consecutive semi-final appearance this season, marking 20 years since they famously defeated the Bulls 29-25 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. In 2005, the Cheetahs also finished fourth overall on the log after the round-robin stages and went on to beat Western Province 16-11 at Newlands in Cape Town in the semi-finals to set up that final. 

Since then, the Cheetahs have gone on to lift the Currie Cup five more times, the most recent being in 2023 when they beat the Pumas 25-17 in Bloemfontein.

Clayton Blommetjies. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Free Staters’ recent 40-10 loss to the same Griquas a fortnight ago certainly cost them a home semi-final. However, they bounced back strongly in Pretoria last week, fighting back in the final 20 minutes against the Bulls to climb to third on the log, setting up a mouth-watering semi-final derby against their neighbours.

Steyn said that performance against the Peacock Blues in Bloemfontein should serve as a reminder for his players, and he won’t hesitate to pull it out of the archives if necessary.

“Look, after that game, I told the guys, listen, this game is going to stick with you forever while I’m here,” said Steyn.

“So every time we think we’re too good, or we do this or that, I’m going to pull that game out of the archives.

“We made some silly mistakes or individual errors that cost us in the first 20 minutes. Hopefully, we can fix that and make it tighter this time.”

Steyn added that, at this stage of the campaign, coaching takes a back seat, and the players must simply back themselves and enjoy their moment in the pursuit of glory.

Daniel Maartens. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Preparation-wise, we’ve been together for the whole Currie Cup now, so trying to fix stuff in a week isn’t realistic,” said the two-time Rugby World Cup winner. We have to focus on what we do well and what makes us great. 

“This week, it’s more about concentrating on ourselves. We need to play and express ourselves. If they want to run from everywhere, let them run. If they want to kick, let them kick. It’s their game to win or lose.

“Training is done. Now the players need to enjoy the occasion. I’ve been part of a lot of semi-finals and finals, and I’ve lost more than I’ve won. Coaching-wise, we’re done, now it’s their time to shine.”

Prince Nkabinde and Gurswin Wehr. Photo: Morgan Piek

The Cheetahs travelled to Kimberley on Friday morning to fine-tune their captain’s rugby at the Toyota Stadium in the afternoon, capping off their preparations ahead of the clash.

Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-final at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 19:15.

Griquas – 15 Cameron Hufke, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams, 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen, 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Cebo Dlamini (captain), 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids

Replacements – 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 IG Prinsloo, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Marco de Witt, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Tom Nel, 23 Connor Mahoney

Cheetahs – 15 Michael Annies, 14 Prince Nkabine, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Clayton Blommetjies, 9 Jandré Nel, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Juan Venter, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Marko Jansen van Rensburg, 1 Cameron Dawson

Replacements - 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 John-Kelly Okonokwo, 19 Sisonke Vumazonke, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Banie Britz

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh