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| Union | South African Rugby Union | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Emblem(s) | Cheetah | ||
| Founded | 1895 (Orange Free State Rugby Union) 2005 (Cheetahs franchise) | ||
| Location | Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa | ||
| Region | Free State Northern Cape | ||
| Ground(s) | Free State Stadium (Capacity: 46,000) | ||
| Coach(es) | Izak van der Westhuizen | ||
| Captain(s) | Victor Sekekete | ||
| League(s) | European Rugby Challenge Cup | ||
| 2022−2023 | (Round of 16) | ||
| |||
| Official website | |||
| www | |||
The Cheetahs (known for sponsorship reasons as the Toyota Cheetahs), is a South African professional rugby union team based at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. They have played Super Rugby between 2006 and 2017, then the Pro14 (now United Rugby Championship) from 2017 to 2020, and currently the EPCR Challenge Cup since 2022.
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. Between 2006 and 2015, the Griffons from the eastern half of the Free State province and Griquas from the Northern Cape province were Cheetahs franchise partners, but this ended prior to the 2016 Super Rugby season.[1]
The Cheetahs was one of the two new franchises that entered the expanded Super 14 competition in 2006, the other being Australia's Western Force. The Central Union was awarded the fifth South African franchise over the SEC franchise in April 2005. In its first season the Cheetahs did surprisingly well, finishing tenth in the final standings, out of 14 sides. Prior to being accepted into the 2006 Super 14 season, the Cheetahs were represented as a part of the Cats. In addition, before the South African Rugby Union entered regionalised franchises into the competition, the Free State Cheetahs side competed in the 1997 Super 12 season.[2]
- ^ "It's a new generation Cheetah!" (Press release). Cheetahs. 3 December 2015. Archived from the original on 7 December 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
- ^ "Central Cheetahs". CRFU. Archived from the original on 20 March 2007. Retrieved 2 February 2007.