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 co-champions, drawing with the
Blue Bulls in the 2006 final.
History
The Orange Free State was established in 1895. The Orange Free State made their first Currie Cup final appearance in the early
1970s, losing to Northern Transvaal 30 points to 22 at
Loftus Versfeld. Just two seasons later, the Orange Free State met Northern Transvaal again in the Currie Cup final, losing 12 points to six at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. The following season, Orange Free State met the Western Province in the final, defeating them 33 points to 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 points to 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 points to nine.
They met Northern Transvaal in the 1981 season final. Northern Transvaal won 23 points to 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.
Finals results
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 |
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.
Current squad
Springboks
External links
★
Official website
★
Cheetahs on
SARugby.co.za
★
Cheetahs on Suparugby.co.za
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