Yesterday it was confirmed that the Cheetahs and the Southern Kings will join the newly expanded Guinness PRO14 Championship.
While the these South African franchises are well-known in the Southern Hemisphere, that is perhaps not the case up north.
Here’s a closer look at the two teams…
CHEETAHS
Who are they?
Known as the Toyota Cheetahs, the franchise area encompasses the western half of the Free State province, the same as that of provincial Currie Cup side the Free State Cheetahs. The Cheetahs were one of the two new franchises that entered the expanded Super Rugby competition in 2006, alongside Australia's Western Force.
Where do they play?
They are based at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. The stadium had its capacity increased to 48,000 for the 2010 World Cup.
How successful have they been?
In their first season the Cheetahs finished 10th in the final standings out of 14 sides. Their best regular season finish was in 2013 when they were sixth. In 2017 the Cheetahs finished 13th of the 18 teams.
Who has played for them?
The Free State province is a hotbed for South African rugby talent and has produced many famous Springbok names including Os du Randt, Juan Smith, Willie le Roux, Heinrich Brussow and Cornal Hendricks. Grey College in Bloemfontein is one of the finest rugby-playing schools in the world and can name former Ulster star Ruan Pienaar among its alumni. Some of their Current Springboks include back rower Oupa Mohoje and captain Francois Venter.
Who is the coach?
Last month, the side announced a coaching staff switch, with Franco Smith becoming the new Director of Rugby and Rory Duncan installed as Head Coach. Smith is a former Springbok flyhalf and centre, who has also coached Treviso before taking over the role as Cheetahs' Head Coach in 2015.
SOUTHERN KINGS
Who are they?
The team were created in 2009 to play the British and Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa, a match the Kings lost 20-8. After initially failing to gain a Super Rugby franchise, the Kings were awarded a place in the 2013 competition. For their debut season the Kings' catchment area was made up of the Eastern Cape and parts of the Western Cape, drawing players from three provincial unions. After the South African Rugby Union (SARU) took over the running of the franchise in November 2015, the franchise had no formal ties to any of the provincial unions.
Where do they play?
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a 46,000-seater stadium in Port Elizabeth on the Eastern Cape. It was one of three coastal stadiums to host during the 2010 World Cup.
How successful have they been?
After making their debut in 2013 the Kings were relegated after losing the two-legged match with the Lions. They missed the 2014 and 2015 seasons before returning for 2016. In 2017 the Kings finished 11th in the overall standings, winning 6 out of their 15 games.
Who has played for them?
Ex-Bath and Springboks flanker Luke Watson is one of their most famous former players. Loose forward Andisa Ntsila, second row Wilhelm van der Sluys and prop Schalk Ferreira are some of the prominent performers in their current squad.
Who is the coach?
Former back row or lock forward Deon Davids has been the Kings Head Coach for the last two seasons in Super Rugby. He previously played and coached for Boland and is very highly rated in his homeland.
USEFUL LINKS
Overview: Details of how the new structure will work
Fixtures Update: Fixture details for Round 1-13 will be confirmed on week commencing 7th August
FAQs: View a list of answers to the most frequently asked questions
While the these South African franchises are well-known in the Southern Hemisphere, that is perhaps not the case up north.
Here’s a closer look at the two teams…
CHEETAHS
Who are they?
Known as the Toyota Cheetahs, the franchise area encompasses the western half of the Free State province, the same as that of provincial Currie Cup side the Free State Cheetahs. The Cheetahs were one of the two new franchises that entered the expanded Super Rugby competition in 2006, alongside Australia's Western Force.
Where do they play?
They are based at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. The stadium had its capacity increased to 48,000 for the 2010 World Cup.
How successful have they been?
In their first season the Cheetahs finished 10th in the final standings out of 14 sides. Their best regular season finish was in 2013 when they were sixth. In 2017 the Cheetahs finished 13th of the 18 teams.
Who has played for them?
The Free State province is a hotbed for South African rugby talent and has produced many famous Springbok names including Os du Randt, Juan Smith, Willie le Roux, Heinrich Brussow and Cornal Hendricks. Grey College in Bloemfontein is one of the finest rugby-playing schools in the world and can name former Ulster star Ruan Pienaar among its alumni. Some of their Current Springboks include back rower Oupa Mohoje and captain Francois Venter.
Who is the coach?
Last month, the side announced a coaching staff switch, with Franco Smith becoming the new Director of Rugby and Rory Duncan installed as Head Coach. Smith is a former Springbok flyhalf and centre, who has also coached Treviso before taking over the role as Cheetahs' Head Coach in 2015.
SOUTHERN KINGS
Who are they?
The team were created in 2009 to play the British and Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa, a match the Kings lost 20-8. After initially failing to gain a Super Rugby franchise, the Kings were awarded a place in the 2013 competition. For their debut season the Kings' catchment area was made up of the Eastern Cape and parts of the Western Cape, drawing players from three provincial unions. After the South African Rugby Union (SARU) took over the running of the franchise in November 2015, the franchise had no formal ties to any of the provincial unions.
Where do they play?
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is a 46,000-seater stadium in Port Elizabeth on the Eastern Cape. It was one of three coastal stadiums to host during the 2010 World Cup.
How successful have they been?
After making their debut in 2013 the Kings were relegated after losing the two-legged match with the Lions. They missed the 2014 and 2015 seasons before returning for 2016. In 2017 the Kings finished 11th in the overall standings, winning 6 out of their 15 games.
Who has played for them?
Ex-Bath and Springboks flanker Luke Watson is one of their most famous former players. Loose forward Andisa Ntsila, second row Wilhelm van der Sluys and prop Schalk Ferreira are some of the prominent performers in their current squad.
Who is the coach?
Former back row or lock forward Deon Davids has been the Kings Head Coach for the last two seasons in Super Rugby. He previously played and coached for Boland and is very highly rated in his homeland.
USEFUL LINKS
Overview: Details of how the new structure will work
Fixtures Update: Fixture details for Round 1-13 will be confirmed on week commencing 7th August
FAQs: View a list of answers to the most frequently asked questions