A lot has been written, and debated about the Cheetahs progress, or perceived lack thereof. I took a cue from Naka Drotske, who professed his frustration, at losing players to richer overseas clubs. Many people have no idea of the unique challenges that face the Cheetahs. In this article I hope to give an insight and give our detractors a better understanding of the challenges faced by the Cheetahs Super Rugby Franchise.
The Cheetahs – Only True Regional Team in SA:
In order to succeed at Super Rugby level it is an absolute requirement to have a strong sponsorship, player depth and continuity. The Toyota Cheetahs are arguably the only real “regional team” in South Africa.
Yes, the Lions used a few Puma players, but haven’t done so consistently or to the extent that the Cheetahs draw on thier partners, GWK Griquas. As a result and despite some agreements in place, the Cheetahs are not always able to control the destiny of players in the squad.
I went and did some digging and it was quite an eye opener to see that in the last 5 years the Cheetahs have never had the opportunity to build any continuity in key positional areas. Also consider that prior to the Toyota sponsorship, at the start of 2011, the Cheetahs have never had a solid sponsor partner. Vodacom had interests in Bulls as well as the Cheetahs. The Toyota deal was only concluded two weeks prior to the start of the 2011 Super Rugby Competition.
Please bear with me, and take the time to read the in’s and out’s of players since 2008, and then consider the difficulty as a Super rugby coach, to build a team that can consistently win!
Since 2008, the Cheetahs have used approximately 85 different players. Some only played a few matches but if you look at the composition of these numbers, you begin to see a startling picture:
- 3 x Fullbacks
- 15 x Wings
- 10 x Centers
- 7 x Flyhalves
- 7 x Scrumhalves
- 14 x Loose Forwards
- 14 x Locks
- 5 x Hookers
- 10 x Props
Now that statistic in itself, is further compounded when you see how often the combinations have changed. Only about 15 players have played 3 or more consecutive seasons for the Cheetahs and only 4 current players were in the Cheetahs team in 2008, namely Hennie Daniller, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, and Adriaan Strauss!
Cheetahs Squad 2008:
FB: Hennie Daniller, Bevin Fortuin
Wings: Eddie Fredericks, Jongi Nokwe, Gavin Passens
Centers: JW Jonker, Meyer Bosman, Hendrik Meyer
FH: Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Herkie Kruger, Conrad Barnard
SH: Falie Oelschig, Tobie Botes, Tewis de Bruyn
LFWD’s: Duanne Vermeulen, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Hendro Scholtz, Kababmba Floors, Darron Nell
Locks: Rory Duncan, Barend Pieterse, Flip van der Merwe, David de Villiers
Hooker: Adriaan Strauss, Richardt Strauss
Props: Kobus Calldo, Wian du Preez, Bees Roux, Ronnie Uys, CJ van der Linde
Cheetahs Squad 2009:
FB: Hennie Daniller, Fabian Juries
Wings: Jongi Nokwe, Danwel Demas, Bjorn Basson
Centers: JW Jonker, Meyer Bosman, Corné Uys, Piet van Zyl, Hanno Coetzee
FH: Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Naas Olivier
SH: Tewis de Bruyn, Sarel Pretorius, Gerrie Odendaal
LFWD’s: Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Hendro Scholtz, Kababmba Floors, Darron Nell
Locks: David de Villiers, Nico Breedt, Wayne van Heerden, Flip van der Merwe, Francois Uys
Hooker: Adriaan Strauss, Richardt Strauss
Props: Kobus Calldo, Wian du Preez, Bees Roux, Jean Botha, WP Nel
Player movement between 2008 and 2009:
Out:
Bevin Fortuin, Eddie Fredericks, Gavin Passens, Hendrik Meyer, Herkie Kruger, Conrad Barnard, Falie Oelschig, Tobie Botes, Duanne Vermeulen, Darron Nel, Rory Duncan, Barend Pieterse, Ronnie Uys, CJ van der Linde
In:
Fabian Juries, Danwel Demas, Corné Uys, Hanno Coetzee, Bjorn Basson, Piet van Zyl, Hanno Coetzee, Naas Olivier, Sarel Pretorius, Gerrie Odendaal, Frans Viljoen, Nico Breedt, Wayne van Heerden, Francois Uys, Jean Botha, WP Nel
Cheetahs Squad 2010:
FB: Hennie Daniller, Riaan Viljoen
Wings: Jongi Nokwe, Danwel Demas, Bjorn Basson, Lionel Mapoe
Centers: Meyer Bosman, Corné Uys, Wilmaure Louw, Barry Geel, Robert Ebersohn
FH: Naas Olivier, Sias Ebersohn, Louis Strydom
SH: Tewis de Bruyn, Sarel Pretorius, Marnus Hugo
LFWD’s: Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Hendro Scholtz, Kababmba Floors, Ashley Johnson, Davon Raubenheimer, Frans Viljoen, Philip van der Walt
Locks: David de Villiers, Nico Breedt, Walti Vermeulen, Barend Pieterse, Izak van der Westhuizen
Hooker: Adriaan Strauss, Ryno Barnes, Skipper Badenhorst
Props: Wian du Preez, WP Nel, Coenie Oosthuizen
Player movement between 2009 and 2010:
Out:
Fabian Juries, JW Jonker, Piet van Zyl, Hanno Coetzee, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Gerrie Odendaal, Darron Nell, Wayne van Heerden, Flip van der Merwe, Francois Uys, Richardt Strauss, Kobus Calldo, Bees Roux, Jean Botha
In:
Riaan Viljoen, Lionel Mapoe, Wilmaure Louw, Barry Geel, Robert Ebersohn, Sias Ebersohn, Louis Strydom, Marnus Hugo, Ashley Johnson, Davon Raubenheimer, Frans Viljoen, Philip van der Walt, Walti Vermeulen, Barend Pieterse, Izak van der Westhuizen, Ryno Barnes, Skipper Badenhorst, Coenie Oosthuizen
Toyota Cheetahs Squad 2011:
FB: Hennie Daniller, Riaan Viljoen
Wings: Riaan Smit, F Juries, Philip Burger, Philip Snyman, Ryno Benjamin
Centers: Corné Uys, Wilmaure Louw, Barry Geel, Robert Ebersohn, Andries Strauss
FH: Naas Olivier, Sias Ebersohn
SH: Tewis de Bruyn, Sarel Pretorius
LFWD’s: Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Kabamba Floors, Ashley Johnson, Davon Raubenheimer, Frans Viljoen, Philip van der Walt, Johan Wessels, Pieter Myburgh, Leon Karemaker
Locks: Walti Vermeulen, Izak van der Westhuizen, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Francois Uys, Martin Muller, Hendrik Roodt
Hooker: Adriaan Strauss, Ryno Barnes, Skipper Badenhorst
Props: WP Nel, Coenie Oosthuizen, Kobus Calldo, Lourens Adriaanse
Player movement between 2010 and 2011:
Out:
Jongi Nokwe, Danwel Demas, Bjorn Basson, Lionel Mapoe, Meyer Bosman, Louis Strydom, Marnus Hugo, Hendro Scholtz, David de Villiers, Nico Breedt, Barend Pieterse, Wian du Preez
In:
Riaan Smit, F Juries, Philip Burger, Philip Snyman, Ryno Benjamin, Andries Strauss, Johan Wessels, Pieter Myburgh, Leon Karemaker, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Francois Uys, Martin Muller, Hendrik Roodt, Kobus Calldo, Lourens Adriaanse
Toyota Cheetahs Squad 2012:
FB: Hennie Daniller,
Wings: Ryno Benjamin, Willie le Roux, Dusty Noble, Rocco Jansen, Cameron Jacobs
Centers: Robert Ebersohn, Andries Strauss, Philip Snyman
FH: Johan Goosen, Sias Ebersohn, Riaan Smit
SH: Tewis de Bruyn, Piet van Zyl
LFWD’s: Heinrich Brussow, Ashley Johnson, Davon Raubenheimer, Philip van der Walt, Justin Downey
Locks: Walti Vermeulen, Izak van der Westhuizen, Francois Uys, Andries Ferreira, George Earle
Hooker: Adriaan Strauss, Hercu Liebenberg
Props: WP Nel, Coenie Oosthuizen, Lourens Adriaanse, Trevor Nyakane
Player movement between 2011 and 2012:
Out:
Riaan Viljoen, F Juries, Philip Burger, Corné Uys, Wilmaure Louw, Barry Geel, Naas Olivier, Sarel Pretorius, Kabamba Floors, Frans Viljoen, Johan Wessels, Pieter Myburgh, Leon Karemaker, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Hendrik Roodt, Ryno Barnes, Skipper Badenhorst, Kobus Calldo, Juan Smith (injured), Martin Muller (injured)
In:
Willie le Roux, Dusty Noble, Rocco Jansen, Cameron Jacobs, Johan Goosen, Piet van Zyl, Justin Downey, Andries Ferreira, George Earle, Hercu Liebenberg, Trevor Nyakane
Summary:
Looking at the numbers of player movements year on year, it is no surprise that the Cheetahs have battled to build a core squad. The years from 2006 – 2010 was just Cheetahs keeping head above rising waters. The start of 2011, heralded a new era for the Cheetahs in the Toyota sponsorship. We will only start seeing the benefit of this in 2013, as a number of core players have already been contracted. Yes, players like Ashley Johnson, WP Nel, George Earl, and Izak van der Westhuizen are already confirmed departures, but compared to previous years, that is a marked improvement.
In 2008 Cheetahs played 13, won 1 with a points difference of -173
In 2009 Cheetahs played 13, won 2 with a points difference of -128
In 2010 Cheetahs played 13, won 5 with a points difference of -80
In 2011 Cheetahs played 16, won 5 with a points difference of -2
In 2012 Cheetahs played 12, won 4 with a points difference of -26, so far
So clearly, there is an upwards trend that could well continue this year and definately next year. I spoke earlier of continuity, well consider that for the first time in many a year we can look forward to a settled front row as only WP Nel is leaving. There is continuity at lock, looseforward, scrumhalf, flyhalf, centre, wing and fullback. Yes there are a few players that may still leave, but not to the extent of previous years.
The loss of Johan Goosen to injury was huge, but nobody could have predicted the subsequent loss of confidence by young Sias Ebersohn.
These are simple facts.
Where could the Cheetahs have ended, had we not effectively lost both our flyhalves?
So all Cheetahs fans, hang in there, the Cheetahs are on the up and with a fit again Johan Goosen and a rejuvenated Sias, we will soon rock the world again.
For our detractors, quiver in fear!
Sounds like a MacDonalds drive thru.
Phweeeew….
Reminds me of that song… the Hokey Pokey…
… in, out, in, out, swing it all about…. that’s what it’s all about….
Hehehehe
Suck it up Cheetahs fans… give your players a more stable platform, contract better… produce some better results…. and the Hokey Pokey song might just end!
Honestly though, it can’t be nice to play with a travelling circus of players the whole time, so I hope the Cheetahs sort it out once and for all.
Incredible, the amount of talent – imagine how strong they would be if there was a player salary cap. Half of them would have probably stayed
4 @ Just For Kicks:
2008 to 2012 is a long time period though… and at a quick glance even the Bulls and Stormers have almost used as many different players.
Just this season alone the Bulls probably had as many, if not more, players OUT and players IN (compared to the regular yearly Cheetahs turnover of players) due to retirements and leaving for overseas.
Same with the Stormers… lots out this season, lots of new youngsters in too.
Yet the Bulls and Stormers keep performing…
What is the difference then? The Structures at the successful Unions?
@ grootblousmile:I don’t know, but 85 people seems a helluva lot, have the Bulls and Stormers had that many? I haven’t got previous squads, transfers, ted for the Stormers, so I don’t know. What of the quality leaving the Bulls and Stormers though? As high as the Cheetahs? Also, it must be said that the quality of players in the pool/club system down here is very high – I guess the same for you. Does the Free State have such luxuries?
6 @ Just For Kicks:
In the Article it says only 4 of the Current Cheetahs players were in the team in 2008 and now still.
Comparing that to the 2007 Winning Super Rugby Bulls side…. well 3 Bulls remain (Spies, Wynand Meisiekind, Akona Ndungane)
Morné Steyn took over from Derick Hougaard basically from 2008, however was on the Bulls bench in 2007…
What about the Stormers side of 2008… looks like only Andries Bekker, Peter Grant & Jean de Villiers still there at the moment.
The difference is, that for quite a while the Bulls kept the core of their squad together, hence the three Super titles. Especially combinations. bakkies, and Vic. I think if you had to add the average caps per player, the Bulls would by far have the most consistent squad.
8 @ Cheetah4eva:
I would suspect the Lions are even worse off….
Who of the Current Lions squad was there in 2008? Hell, who was there 3 years ago?
I suppose the “Richer” or bigger Unions can just afford to contract better, thus keeping the core together more…
It’s an incredibly interesting debate, because as you rightly point out, GBS, there are only a few players left from 2007. But would’t that be normal? Wouldn’t you expect, that after 5 years that most of the team will have moved on. When you think that in any particular year, the core of your team would be made up of ‘experienced’ players, which by definition means that they would have about 4 years under their belts already. 9-10 years is a long time in a professional rugby team, so, by default, there would be a naturally high attrition rate.
However, I believe, the Bulls, Cheetahs and Stormers scenarios are all different. The Bulls, by and large have managed to keep a core group of players for 3-4 years, won a couple of trophies for their efforts, and have lost a number of players to retirement, or earning that last scheckle in the death throws of their careers.
The Stormers, whilst losing a couple of players who were long in the tooth, lost a number of players, simply because they weren’t playing in the top positions, or not getting the remuneration they felt they deserved, aka JJ and Sadie. The likes of these players couldn’t see where their spots were going to be, and thus moved on. I believe also, that the Cape boys believe they have this god-given talent, and should just walk into the team when they like. This is clearly not going to happen, they have to earn their spot, but being too ‘good’ to have to wait, they move on. Added to this, you have had some serious personality clashes within the team, and management, e.g. Puke Watson, Anton van Zyl, and the latest, the rumoured spat between Demetri Catrakilis and Toetie. In other words, in the Stormers change rooms, it’s all about EGO.
The Cheetahs, however, seem to lose their players as soon as they become noticed. They play a season or so for Free State, or Griquas, then into the Cheetahs side, then they’re off. Hell, it seems that in the last few years, it’s only been Brussouw and Smith who have constantly pledged their allegiance to the Cheetahs. The rest use the Cheetahs purely as a stepping stone to better salary packets, higher profiles and the ‘city lights’. Most of the Cheetahs boys are still very young, with a long future ahead of them, but more importantly a year of Super Rugby experience behind them, and are thus a big attraction to the ‘bigger’ teams.
And that is the sad part that I think C4e is alluding to, I think, and if not, it’s what I think!
Blue Bulls Squad of 2008:
FB: Zane Kirchner,
Wings: John Mametsa, Akona Ndungane, Francois Hougaard, Danwel Demas, Bryan Habana
Centre: JP Nel, Marius Delport, Stephan Dippenaar, Wynand Olivier
FH: Derick Hougaard, Morné Steyn, Burton Francis
SH: Fourie du Preez, Heini Adams
LFWD’s: Pierre Spies, Pedrie Wannenburg, Wikus van Heerden, Dewald Potgieter Deon Stegmann
LOCKS: Wilhelm Steenkamp, Hilton Lobberts. Danie Rossouw, Bakkies Botha
Hooker: Derick Kuün, James van der Walt, Bandise Maku
Props: Rayno Gerber Gurthrö Steenkamp. Jaco Engels, Werner Kruger, Dean Greyling
I count 13 from 2008 still playing for the Bulls, only difference s they now wear pink
Admittedly Willempie Steenkamp, did serve a useful apprenticeship at the Cheetahs in the interim lol
9 @ GBS, Agreed, but then the Lions have shown no inclination to improve at all, and it’s as a result of the Lions Administration being a shanbles too. The Cheetahs Administration, has been fairly stable throughout.
The Lions, are a completely different issue, and that one probably doesn’t need too much explanation!
11 @ Cheetah4eva:
Genade… 13 hey!
How many run-on starters for the Bulls though?
Krusty Kirchner (I thought he was still with Kwas then… obviously wrongly thought so).. hell time flies hey!
Akona was a starter
Wynand was a starter
Morné Steyn was a bencher
Pierre Spies was a starter
Deon Stegmann… must have been a young starter then
Wilhelm Steenkamp… well he’s been with the Sharks and Cheetahs in the meantime
Rayno Gerber has been overseas for a while and was only called in for the Bulls due to injuries to current Bulls props
Werner Kruger, flok has he been our rock for that long…. goodie
Dean Greyling was just in the broader squad, regular loosehead was Gurthro (Shrek)
Interesting though… and makes me even prouder that the Bulls players like to stay at the Bulls family!
Stormers Squad of 2008
FB: Gio Aplon, Joe Pietersen, Conrad Jantjes
Wings: Tonderai Chavhanga, Sireli Naqelevuki, Wylie Human
Centre: Gcobani Bobo, Jean de Villiers, Dylan des Fountain
FH: Peter Grant, Tony Brown
SH: Ricky Januarie, Bolla Conradie
LFWD’s: Luke Watson, Robbie Diack, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger, Pieter Myburgh
Locks: Andries Bekker, Adriaan Fondse, Francois van der Merwe, Ross Skeate
Hooker: Tiaan Liebenberg, Schalk Brits, Deon Fourie
Props: Brian Mujati, JD Moller. Brok Harris, Schalk Ferreira
Count 9 players still playing, 10 if Schalk Ferreira gets a start
Talking about being cleaned out, Cameron van der Burgh has lost been burgled, all his trophies, medals etc. gone. Eish, the hooligans that do this are as bad as the ones stealing the plaques off the memorials in the UK. No real value, except to the recipient. Bastards.
Hell, as I get older, time flies faster and faster….
@ GBS 14,
Therein lies the difference, the only players from the Cheetahs that left, and returned later, was Juries! And the quality players we lost continously, coupled with the fact, that combinations could never settle, made it an uphill battle, heck it shows waht a faaarking good coach Naka is hey!
Seriously though, it is only now where the Cheetahs can go forward with the semblance of a core into 2013:
Coenie (4th year), Strauss (6th), Nyakane (2nd) Waltie Vermeulen (3rd), Ferreira (2nd), Brussow (6th), Juan Smith (forever), Phillip vd Walt (4th), Piet van Zyl (2nd), Goosen (2nd), Sias (4th), le Roux 2nd), Strauss (4th), Ebersohn (5th), Jacobs (2nd) Daniller (6th)
When last did the Cheetahs have that number of players playing in consecutive years? And some combinations, like 9&10 the drivel we had to endure? Strydom, Olivier, Barnyard, Hekkie Kruger, but the Jorrie goes to louis Strydom, man that dude really burned my ass!
18 @ Cheetah4eva:
Eish Naas Olivier, Herkie Kruger & Louis Strydom was THE PITTS!
20 @ Cheetah4eva:
Shhhhhh, they’re very, very sensitive about that!
Hehehehe
20@ Cheetah4eva:
21@ grootblousmile:I can lip read!
20@ Cheetah4eva:….and the way we’ve been playing the last couple of weeks, it may still be a while before one comes our way!!!
22 @ Just For Kicks:
Lip Read this….
Gooooooooo Sharkies!
Hehehe
@ JFK,
Looking at the dearth of quality players the Stormers have had, it is surely unacceptable, not to have won at least a CC? Considering the 2008 Stormers squad, plus guys like Montgomery 2009, Duanne Vermeulen 2009, AJ Venter 2009, Willem Wikkelspies De Waal 2009, and Pieter Louw, I mean there are some fine players together in the team?
@ grootblousmile:Ja, now you’re talking out of your poepol, I struggle trying to lip read that shyte!!!
26 @ Just For Kicks:
Flok, I’m still miffed about this morning’s loss by the Bulls…
25@ Cheetah4eva:Absolutely, that final step up for us is such a struggle, but patience, and they will come. WP have won the CC 32 times, agreed the last only in 2001, but, we have just won the VC, and with the Super Rugby running alongside, and all the players being pulled up to the Stormers team through injury, the next year or two look promising!
27@ grootblousmile:Yup, out of all the Bulls losses this year (not many, I know), this one was the most painful. The Scrum, line out, and loose had the run on the Chiefs for most of the match – how many line outs did the Bulls steal! But it was lost due to piss poor handling, piss poor kicking, and to me, incredibly slow service from the base.
27@ grootblousmile:What the Bulls did show, was that the Chiefs can be taken in their own back yard, they’re not invincible! And hell, I don’t care who it is (although would be nice if it was Stormers) who wins this year, as long as it’s an SA team.
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