The Free State Cheetahs (formerly the Orange Free State), currently named the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, for sponsorship reasons, are a South Africa

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...

n rugby union

Rugby union

Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...

 team that participates in the annual Currie Cup

Currie Cup

The Currie Cup tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring , featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces...

 tournament

Tournament

A tournament is a competition involving a relatively large number of competitors, all participating in a sport or game. More specifically, the term may be used in either of two overlapping senses:...

. They are governed by the Free State Rugby Union and are based at the 37,076-capacity Vodacom Park

Free State Stadium

The Free State Stadium , also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used mainly for rugby union and association football...

 in Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein

Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...

. The Cheetahs won the Currie Cup 4 times, three times consecutively from 2005-2007.

History

The Orange Free State Rugby Union was established in 1895, but did not make it to their first Currie Cup

Currie Cup

The Currie Cup tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring , featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces...

 final appearance until 1973, when they lost to Northern Transvaal 30-22 at Loftus Versfeld

Loftus Versfeld Stadium

Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final...

. 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

2006 Currie Cup

The 2006 ABSA Currie Cup season was contested from June through to October. The Currie Cup is an annual domestic competition for rugby union clubs in South Africa...

, 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

Golden Lions

The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason...

 by 20-18 in the final.

Currie Cup

Season	Winners	Score	Runner-up	Venue
1973	Northern Transvaal Blue Bulls The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...	30 - 22	Orange Free State	Loftus Versfeld Loftus Versfeld Stadium Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final... , Pretoria Pretoria Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
1975	Northern Transvaal Blue Bulls The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...	12 - 6	Orange Free State	Free State Stadium Free State Stadium The Free State Stadium , also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used mainly for rugby union and association football... , Bloemfontein Bloemfontein Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
1976	Orange Free State	33 - 16	Western Province	Free State Stadium Free State Stadium The Free State Stadium , also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used mainly for rugby union and association football... , Bloemfontein Bloemfontein Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
1977	Northern Transvaal Blue Bulls The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...	27 - 12	Orange Free State	Loftus Versfeld Loftus Versfeld Stadium Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final... , Pretoria Pretoria Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
1978	Northern Transvaal Blue Bulls The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...	13 - 9	Orange Free State	Free State Stadium Free State Stadium The Free State Stadium , also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used mainly for rugby union and association football... , Bloemfontein Bloemfontein Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
1981	Northern Transvaal Blue Bulls The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...	23 - 6	Orange Free State	Loftus Versfeld Loftus Versfeld Stadium Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final... , Pretoria Pretoria Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
1994	Transvaal Golden Lions The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason... 1	56 - 35	Orange Free State	Springbok Park Springbok Park OUTsurance Oval is a multi-purpose stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa. It is currently used mostly for cricket matches. It is the home of the Eagles cricket team... , Bloemfontein Bloemfontein Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
1997	Western Province	14 - 12	Free State Cheetahs2	Newlands Newlands Stadium Newlands Stadium, currently referred to as DHL Newlands for sponsorship reasons, is located in Cape Town, South Africa.The stadium currently has a capacity of 51,900 people, but is not an all seater venue.... , Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
2004	Blue Bulls Blue Bulls The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament... 3	42 - 33	Free State Cheetahs	Loftus Versfeld Loftus Versfeld Stadium Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final... , Pretoria Pretoria Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
2005	Free State Cheetahs	29 - 25	Blue Bulls Blue Bulls The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...	Loftus Versfeld Loftus Versfeld Stadium Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final... , Pretoria Pretoria Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
2006	Free State Cheetahs	28 - 284	Blue Bulls Blue Bulls The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...	Vodacom Park Free State Stadium The Free State Stadium , also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used mainly for rugby union and association football... , Bloemfontein Bloemfontein Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
2007 2007 Currie Cup The 2007 ABSA Currie Cup season was contested from June through to October. The Currie Cup is an annual domestic competition for provincial rugby union teams in South Africa...	Free State Cheetahs	20 - 18	Golden Lions Golden Lions The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason... 1	Vodacom Park Free State Stadium The Free State Stadium , also known as Vodacom Park, is a stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa, used mainly for rugby union and association football... , Bloemfontein Bloemfontein Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
2009	Blue Bulls Blue Bulls The Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...	36 - 24	Free State Cheetahs	Loftus Versfeld Loftus Versfeld Stadium Loftus Versfeld Stadium is a rugby and association football stadium situated in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The stadium has a capacity of 51,762 for rugby union and hosted the 2009 Currie Cup final... , Pretoria Pretoria Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...

Current squad

Springboks

EWLINE 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 Basie Vivier Stefanus Sebastian "Basie" Vivier was a South African rugby union player. He was capped for South Africa five times in 1956, though he was first selected to play for the Springboks on the 1951-52 South Africa rugby tour of Great Britain, Ireland and France; but was never selected for an... 1956 Harry Walker 1953 Popeye Strydom Popeye Strydom Coenraad Frederik "Popeye" Strydom was a South Africa national rugby union team player. In all, Strydom made six appearances for the Springboks between 1955 and 1958.... 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

EWLINE 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 Theuns Stofberg Theuns Stofberg was the captain of the South Africa national rugby union team for four tests between 1980 and 1984. He is remembered for his speed and his size, both remarkable for a flank at that time, and both factors that do not generally go together in rugby where size does truly matter.He was... 1976 Hermanus Potgieter 1977 Dirk Froneman 1977 Barry Wolmarans 1977 Martiens le Roux 1980 Gysie Pienaar 1980

EWLINE Eben Jansen 1981 Rudie Visagie 1984 Jaco Reinach 1986 Christo Ferreira 1986 Helgard Muller 1986 André Joubert André Joubert André Joubert is a former South African rugby union player. He was capped 34 times at fullback for the Springboks in the early 1990s, and amassed a total of 115 Test Points from 10 tries, 17 penalties and 7 conversions.... 1989 Johan Styger 1992 Ruben Kruger Ruben Kruger Ruben Jacobus Kruger, born in Vrede , was a South African rugby union player. He played as a flanker.-Career:... 1993 Hentie Martens 1993 Naka Drotské Naka Drotske Allen Erasmus 'Naka' Drotské is a former South African rugby union player, who played for the South Africa national rugby union team between 1993 and 1999.He played as a hooker .... 1993 Ollie le Roux Ollie le Roux Andre-Henri "Ollie" le Roux is a South African rugby union footballer who currently plays for Leinster.-Rugby career:... 1994 Brendan Venter Brendan Venter Brendan Venter is a former rugby union player who played at centre and also coached for London Irish. He is currently director of rugby at Saracens... 1994 Chris Badenhorst 1994 Os du Randt Os du Randt Jacobus Petrus du Randt, better known as Os du Randt , is a former South African rugby union loosehead prop who retired as the most-capped forward in the history of the Springboks... 1994 André Venter 1996 Werner Swanepoel 1997 Rassie Erasmus Rassie Erasmus Rassie Erasmus is the current coach of the Stormers rugby franchise in South Africa. Erasmus played mainly as a flanker for the Springboks at international level, for the Free State Cheetahs and the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup, and for the Cats in the Super 12... 1997 Jannie de Beer Jannie de Beer Jan Hendrik de Beer , nicknamed Jannie, is a South African former rugby union player. He played flyhalf for the South African national team, the Springboks. In all he represented the Springboks in 13 tests, scoring 183 points. He stands 1.82 meters tall, and weighs 87 kilograms... 1997 Braam Els 1997

EWLINE Willie Meyer 1997 Hendro Scholtz 2002 Freidrich Lombard 2002 CJ van der Linde CJ van der Linde CJ van der Linde is a South African rugby union footballer. His usual position is prop. He played for Leinster Rugby in the international Magners League from 2008–10, and currently plays for the Stormers.... 2002 Juan Smith Juan Smith Juan Hugo Smith is a South African rugby union footballer. His usual position is at blindside flanker, although he has also played number eight, he plays for the Springboks. He plays for the Vodacom Cheetahs in the international Super 14 competition as well as the Free State Cheetahs in the... 2003 Gerrie Britz 2004 Hanyani Shimange 2004 Michael Claassens Michael Claassens Michael Claassens is a South African rugby union player for Bath Rugby in the English Aviva Premiership.Claassens previously played for the Free State Cheetahs and the Springboks, and plays as a scrum-half.... 2004 Gurthro Steenkamp Gurthro Steenkamp Gurthrö Garth Steenkamp is a South African Rugby union player. He plays loosehead prop. Steenkamp currently plays for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup and the Bulls in the Super 14... 2004 Meyer Bosman Meyer Bosman Meyer Bosman is a South African rugby player, who currently plays for the Sharks franchise. He is a flyhalf , but has recently showed great ability in the inside-center position... 2005 Bevin Fortuin 2006 Kabamba Floors Kabamba Floors Lucas "Kabamba" Floors is a South African rugby union footballer who plays for the Free State Cheetahs in the domestic Currie Cup club competition, and for the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs in the international Super 14 competition... 2006 Jannie du Plessis Jannie du Plessis Jan Nathaniel "Jannie" du Plessis is a South African rugby union player, who plays as a prop for South Africa and the Sharks in Super Rugby... 2007 Barend Pieterse Barend Pieterse Barend Pieterse is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with the .He started playing his rugby for the in 2001. He played for them until 2004, when he moved to the . Between 2004 and 2010, he also frequently represented the Cats and Central Cheetahs franchises in the Super... 2007 Adriaan Strauss Adriaan Strauss Jan Adriaan Strauss, is a rugby hooker who represents Free State Cheetahs in the ABSA Currie Cup and Super 14. He made his international debut for South Africa on 19 July 2008 coming off the bench against Australia in the Tri Nations... 2008 Jongi Nokwe Jongi Nokwe Jongikhaya "Jongi" Nokwe is a South African rugby union footballer who plays as a winger for the . He's a former Springbok during the period in which he played for the Central Cheetahs franchise in the Super 14 tournament, and the Free State Cheetahs in the domestic Currie Cup competition... 2008 Heinrich Brussow Heinrich Brussow Heinrich Wilhelm Brüssow is a South African rugby union footballer. He plays for the Free State Cheetahs provincial team, Cheetahs in the international Super Rugby competition and the Springboks... 2008 Wian du Preez Wian du Preez Wian du Preez is a rugby union player for Munster in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup. He plays as a prop, primarily at loosehead.-Cheetahs:du Preez, a native of Free State, played for the Cheetahs from 2007 until 2010... 2009 Coenie Oosthuizen Coenie Oosthuizen Coenrad Victor Oosthuizen is a professional rugby union player who plays for Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup, Toyota Cheetahs in Super Rugby and was chosen for the Springboks squad in 2010 and 2011. He was schooled at Grey College.Coenie Oosthuizen plays in the loose-head prop position,... 2010

EWLINE Ashley Johnson Ashley Johnson (rugby union) Ashley Johnson is a professional Rugby Union player who presents Free State Cheetahs at provincial level, Toyota Cheetahs in the international Super Rugby series and the Springboks... 2010

External links

• Official website
• Cheetahs on SARugby.co.za
  South African Rugby Union
  The South African Rugby Union is the governing body for rugby union in South Africa and is affiliated to the International Rugby Board...
  
  
• Cheetahs on Suparugby.co.za