Cheetahs boss Frans Steyn believes the Currie Cup is being marginalised when it could play a far bigger and vital role for the sport in the country.
The Free Staters’ 31-26 win over the Stormers XXIII on Sunday kept them firmly in the playoff race, but Steyn’s thoughts after the Athlone clash stretched beyond this season’s title chase.
He argues that the single round-robin format before semi-finals does little to develop players or provide sufficient game time.
“There’s a lot of talent. We need a competition that goes throughout the year and the young guys need to play,” Steyn said.
“If there’s just seven games a year, how are they going to get better?”
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The former Springbok, Sharks and Cheetahs star suggests the Currie Cup should be expanded and given greater exposure.
“I think the Currie Cup should be a lot more games. It should be widely broadcast. There’s a chance for the Currie Cup to be a massive competition.
“For me, it feels like we’re just shoving it to the side and just sitting on it and we’re scared of if we open up that beast, what it can become for South Africa.”
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The 39-year-old also claims the Cheetahs and other non-Vodacom URC outfits still have an important role to play in the Republic.
“Each union can be massive for SA rugby, but I don’t think we get treated as that. Everybody says Griquas and the Boland Cavaliers are small unions. We’re in the same boat.
“Our budget is not R75-million; our budget is the same as Griquas.”
Steyn says the Cheetahs want to provide opportunities for players who might otherwise be overlooked, with their role potentially evolving into a pathway for the next generation.
“We tried to fight the competition thing and it didn’t work out, so if we can be a place where U20s come to play more rugby and then move on, it’s fine,” he said. “Then there’s a place for us in South African rugby.
“We’re working hard on that, we still have a lot to do, and time’s going to run out one day.”
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Even with the Cheetahs second on the current standings, the three-time Currie Cup winner insists the bigger picture remains his priority.
“I’m not so focused on winning the Currie Cup, there’s other things we need to fix, and if that’s fine, the Currie Cup will follow.”
Photo: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images
The post ‘SA rugby shoving the Currie Cup to the side’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Cheetahs boss Frans Steyn believes the Currie Cup is being marginalised when it could play a far bigger and vital role for the sport in the country.
The post ‘SA rugby shoving the Currie Cup to the side’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
