Free State Cheetahs

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Free State Cheetahs
Image:cheetahface.jpg
Full name Free State Cheetahs
Emblem Cheetah
Colours Orange & white
Founded 1895
Sport Rugby union
League Currie Cup
Ground Vodacom Park
Official website fscheetahs.co.za

The Free State Cheetahs (formerly the Orange Free State), for sponsorship reasons named Vodacom Free State Cheetahs, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They are governed by the Free State Rugby Union and are based at the 37,076-capacity Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein. The Cheetahs are the current Currie Cup champions, beating the Golden Lions in the 2007 final. This is their 3rd consecutive year as Currie Cup champions.

Contents

[edit] History

The Orange Free State Rugby Union was established in 1895, but did not make it to their first Currie Cup final appearance until 1973, when they lost to Northern Transvaal 30-22 at Loftus Versfeld. Just two seasons later, the Orange Free State met Northern Transvaal again in the Currie Cup final, losing 12-6 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. The following season, Orange Free State met the Western Province in the final, defeating them 33-16 in Bloemfontein, claiming their first Currie Cup championship. The next season, Orange Free State met Northern Transvaal in the Currie Cup final again, though Northern Transvaal defeated them 27-12 in Pretoria. For the fourth successive time, Orange Free State were in the final again, and again with Northern Transvaal, who defeated them 13-9.

They met Northern Transvaal in the 1981 season final. Northern Transvaal won 23-16. The Orange Free State/Free State Cheetahs made two final appearances in the 1990s, being runners-up to Transvaal and the Western Province in 1994 and 1997 respectively. In 2004, they were runners-up to the Blue Bulls in the final, however, the following season, the Free State defeated them in the final, 29 points to 25. The Free State finished at the top of the table of the 2006 season, and defeated the Sharks in their home semi to advance to their third final in as many years. The Cheetahs hosted the final, which ended in a 28-all draw after 20 minutes of extra-time.

In the 2007 season, the FS Cheetahs continued their great form, winning 13 of the 14 games before the finals. After beating the Blue Bulls in the semis at home, they won the Currie Cup for a third consecutive time by coming from behind to beat the Golden Lions by 20-18 in the final.

[edit] Finals results

[edit] Currie Cup

Season Winners Score Runner-up Venue
1973 Northern Transvaal 30 - 22 Orange Free State Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
1975 Northern Transvaal 12 - 6 Orange Free State Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
1976 Orange Free State 33 - 16 Western Province Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
1977 Northern Transvaal 27 - 12 Orange Free State Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
1978 Northern Transvaal 13 - 9 Orange Free State Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
1981 Northern Transvaal 23 - 6 Orange Free State Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
1994 Transvaal1 56 - 35 Orange Free State Springbok Park, Bloemfontein
1997 Western Province 14 - 12 Free State Cheetahs2 Newlands, Cape Town
2004 Blue Bulls3 42 - 33 Free State Cheetahs Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
2005 Free State Cheetahs 29 - 25 Blue Bulls Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
2006 Free State Cheetahs 28 - 284 Blue Bulls Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
2007 Free State Cheetahs 20 - 18 Golden Lions1 Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein

[edit] Notes

1 Transvaal are now known as the Golden Lions.
2 Orange Free State were renamed the Free State Cheetahs.
3 Northern Transvaal were renamed the Blue Bulls.
4 Game was a draw after 80+20minutes, thus the cup was shared.

[edit] Current squad

   
  • Flip van der Merwe
  • Ryno van der Merwe
  • Darron Nell
  • Falie Oelschig
  • Gavin Passens
  • Giscard Pieters
  • Barend Pieterse
  • Jannie du Plessis
  • Wian du Preez
  • Herman Pretorius
    
  • Rich Verster
  • Willem de Waal
  • Sinethemba Zweni
  • Corniel van Zyl

[edit] Springboks

Name Year
Boetie McHardy 1912
Hennie Potgieter 1928
Tiny Francis 1931/32
Jack Gage 1933
Lappies Hattingh 1933
Flip Geel 1949
Piet Wessels 1951/52
Basie Vivier 1956
Harry Walker 1953
Popeye Strydom 1955
Chris de Wilzem 1956
Bennie van Niekerk
Gert Cilliers 1963
Nelie Smith 1963
John Wessels 1965
Piet Goosen 1965
Sakkie van Zyl 1965
Louis Slabber 1965
 
Piet Greyling 1967
Joggie Jansen 1970
Jackie Snyman 1974
Gerrie Germishuys 1974
Leon Vogel 1974
Jan Schlebusch 1974
Johan de Bruyn 1974
Gerrie Sonnekus 1974
Kleintjie Grobler 1974
Rampie Stander 1974
André Bestbier 1974
Edrich Krantz 1976
De Wet Ras 1976
Theuns Stofberg 1976
Hermanus Potgieter 1977
Dirk Froneman 1977
Barry Wolmarans 1977
Martiens le Roux 1980
Gysie Pienaar 1980
 
Eben Jansen 1981
Rudie Visagie 1984
Jaco Reinach 1986
Christo Ferreira 1986
Helgard Muller 1986
André Joubert 1989
Johan Styger 1992
Ruben Kruger 1993
Hentie Martens 1993
Naka Drotské 1993
Ollie le Roux 1994
Brendan Venter 1994
Chris Badenhorst 1994
Os du Randt 1994
André Venter 1996
Werner Swanepoel 1997
Rassie Erasmus 1997
Jannie de Beer 1997
Braam Els 1997
 
Willie Meyer 1997
Hendro Scholtz 2002
Freidrich Lombard 2002
CJ van der Linde 2002
Juan Smith 2003
Gerrie Britz 2004
Hanyani Shimange 2004
Michael Claassens 2004
Gurthro Steenkamp 2004
Meyer Bosman 2005
Bevin Fortuin 2006
Kabamba Floors 2006
Jannie du Plessis 2007

[edit] External links

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