The Potchefstroom-based outfit has put in the hard yards during an intensive pre-season, with Riaan van Straten now officially at the helm as full-time head coach. Van Straten, who brings international experience after a stint coaching in Russia, stepped into the role on an interim basis last year following the axing of Matthew Proudfoot.

Speaking to OFM Sport, Van Straten said the transition from interim to permanent head coach hasn’t changed much on the ground, apart from the role now being official and offering greater stability. 

For him, it remains all about putting in the work to achieve the desired results.

Riaan van Straten and player of the year Sino Tshontyi. Photo: Leopards

“I’m very excited and happy to take the reins as the Leopards’ head coach,” said Van Straten.

“There hasn’t been much change from interim to permanent – we’ve had our noses in the ground, working extremely hard to get ready for the season. I fully understand that it’s a massive challenge ahead.

“There’s a lot of potential here in Potchefstroom and the North West, and working alongside the NWU Eagles, I firmly believe that if we put the right systems in place and deliver quality coaching, we can make the Leopards competitive again and produce players for the South African rugby system.”

The Leopards will kick off their SA Cup campaign with a daunting away clash against the defending Currie Cup champions, the Suzuki Griquas. The two sides will also square off in a warm-up match in the build-up to the competition. Van Straten admitted it will be a tough baptism of fire, but stressed that there are no soft landings in the SA Cup.

“The SA Cup is a very tough competition – there are no easy games. We open against Griquas in Kimberley, and that’s going to be a big test for us, but the players and coaching staff have worked extremely hard over the last four months to prepare.

“This is a big project, and it’s not going to happen overnight. We have to take it step by step, but this season we need to be more competitive, score more tries, and improve our defence.”

Riaan van Straten (left) and SA Cup player of the year Brandon Keevy. Photo: Leopards

With the SA Cup running concurrently with the Varsity Cup, Van Straten will be without his NWU Eagles players for most of the competition. Despite this, he has full confidence in the squad at his disposal.

“The Varsity Cup players will only join us in the last two or three rounds of the SA Cup, but I like that the young players are getting a lot of game time. It’s a good platform for us to assess talent, and there are a few players who could still come in.

“It’s really exciting to work alongside the PUK – they’re one of the big rugby factories in South Africa. Having the bigger system working together gives us a great opportunity to produce quality players.”

The opening-round SA Cup clash between the Griquas and the Leopards will be played on 7 March at the Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs