The Free Staters kicked off their pre-season on Monday, with the focus firmly on sharpening every aspect of their game – from fitness and intensity to accuracy under pressure. Their recent outing against Racing 92 in Paris has become a key reference point for the squad. 

Although the Cheetahs went down 31–28 in a thrilling EPCR Challenge Cup clash, the narrow defeat came right at the death at the fortress-like La Défense Arena, where the French giants boast a formidable home record.

With the SA Cup now looming large, there is still plenty of hard graft ahead before the Cheetahs face the Boland Cavaliers in their opening fixture. Steyn knows there will be no easy games, especially with only the top four teams qualifying for the Currie Cup Premier Division once again.

The Cheetahs find themselves in a healthy space as a group, with fierce competition for places across the park. However, the squad has undergone some changes since reaching the SA Cup semi-finals last year, with the likes of Hencus van Wyk, Jeandré Rudolph, Vernon Paulo, and Cameron Dawson all moving on.

That said, the squad is far more settled heading into this campaign, with nearly every player having represented the team over the past year. Only a handful of new faces have been added, including the exciting livewire hooker Juan Smal, who is already turning heads on the training field.

With pre-season now in full swing, Steyn told OFM Sport the SA Cup will be treated with the utmost seriousness, stressing that players’ futures at the franchise could well be shaped by their performances in the competition.

Jeandré Rudolph. Photo: Morgan Piek

Steyn made it clear that every player will be expected to pull their weight.

“We’re going to take it game by game, but we also need to be bigger than just that,” said the two-time Rugby World Cup winner.

“Our standards have to be higher. We’re focusing on the small things – the breakdown, tackles, kick chase – because those details make a massive difference.

“If a player doesn’t want to graft and work hard in the SA Cup, then there’s no place for him at this union. You saw it against Racing, the way the guys worked until the end.”

Steyn also acknowledged that losing a player of Dawson’s calibre is a major blow, but believes there is a silver lining. He is equally excited to see how tackle-machine Dux Manyama fares after battling through a series of injury setbacks.

“Duxie really stepped up, and he’s someone I’m excited to watch in the SA Cup,” said Steyn.

“Losing Cammy is a massive blow, but at the same time it allows us to grow through transfer fees. I’m not going to complain.

Dux Manyama. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We’re not playing in a big competition week in and week out, and as long as bigger unions are taking players from us, there’s a place for us in South African rugby.

“Hopefully, we can keep producing quality players until we get that opportunity.”

The Cheetahs kick off their SA Cup campaign on 6 March when they host the Boland Cavaliers in Bloemfontein.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs