While the Cheetahs achieved their primary objective in the SA Cup by securing qualification for the Currie Cup Premier Division, the focus has now shifted firmly towards silverware. With a place in the final up for grabs, the Free Staters have their sights set on adding another trophy to the cabinet.

The last piece of silverware the Cheetahs lifted was the Currie Cup in 2023, when they beat the very same Pumas 25–17 in Bloemfontein to claim the world’s oldest domestic rugby competition for a seventh time.

Neels Volschenk during last year's 42–25 win against the Pumas in Bloemfontein. Photo: Morgan Piek

Now, they have a golden opportunity to win the SA Cup for the first time, but standing in their way are the defending champions in the Lowveld. It is also the second year in succession that the Free Staters will face the reigning champions in the semi-finals, after suffering a dramatic 41–38 defeat to the Suzuki Griquas in Kimberley last year.

For the 23-year-old Volschenk, Friday’s clash will mark just the sixth occasion he has captained the Cheetahs. Remarkably, he has led the side to victory in all five of his previous matches as skipper, including last week’s nail-biting 32–31 win over Griquas in Bloemfontein – a match the Cheetahs simply had to win to stay alive.

With the stakes now even higher, this will arguably be the biggest game of Volschenk’s young captaincy career. However, he told OFM Sport that he is fortunate to have an experienced leadership core around him.

“We’re really looking forward to it. It’s another tough match and probably one of my tougher games as captain, but fortunately I’ve got a strong group of senior players around me who help a lot,” said Volschenk.

“As long as the players and coaches are on the same page, it makes my job easier.

“My responsibility is to lead from the front with my actions and to manage the referee, while the rest of the responsibility belongs to the whole team.”

Volschenk added the battle among the loose forwards could prove decisive, especially with the Pumas boasting experienced campaigners such as Willie Engelbrecht, who is set to play in his 100th match, and Glasgow Warriors-bound Ruwald van der Merwe.

Former Shimlas captain Ruwald van der Merwe. Photo: Morgan Piek

“The Pumas have quality loose forwards, just like the Griquas did, and that’s definitely been a big talking point for us,” the skipper added.

“As loose forwards, we want to be dominant on the field. I felt we did well last weekend, and if we can be better than their loose trio, it will make the job easier for the rest of the team as well.”

Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn, meanwhile, believes leadership is a collective responsibility and not something that rests solely on the shoulders of the captain. According to the former Springbok, Volschenk’s primary role is simply to communicate effectively with the referee.

“I don’t know why everyone makes such a big thing about the captaincy,” said Steyn.

Carel-Jan Coetzee scoring against the Pumas in 2025. Photo: Morgan Piek

“For me, leadership is a group effort where everyone helps each other. I first really saw that in 2019 with Siya Kolisi, Duane Vermeulen and the rest of the senior players all buying into the plan at the Springboks.

“One player can’t carry all the responsibility by talking to the referee, making calls and trying to manage everything on his own, because eventually something is going to slip.

“At the moment, Neels has a calm demeanour with the referees and they don’t know him that well yet. Some of the other guys have probably shouted at the refs too much over the years, so we’re trying a different approach now and we’ll see if it works for us.”

Friday’s SA Cup semi-final between the Pumas and Cheetahs at Mbombela Stadium kicks off at 18:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm