Currie Cup title a triumph for Cheetahs’ transformation
● While the Cheetahs’ sixth Currie Cup title will be remembered for their efficient and exhilarating rugby, there’s the transformation element where their black contingent of forwards played a massive role in the cup chase.
While loosehead prop Retshegofaditswe “Ox” Nche moves east to the Sharks, ostensibly in a bid to get himself into Springbok reckoning with the Cheetahs not represented in the World Cup squad, hooker Joseph Dweba, lock Sintu Manjezi and loose forwards Sipato Pokomela and Abongile Nokontwana have been critical cogs in the Bloemfontein rugby machine.
With Springbok loose-forward Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje returning from a long-term knee injury, the Cheetahs are well stocked.
That bodes well for them ahead of the 2019/2020 Pro14 tournament that starts on September 27 when the Cheetahs host the Glasgow Warriors.
These players more than disprove the never-disappearing notion that black players aren’t fit to be forwards. Cheetahs highperformance manager MJ Smith knows what they have in these players.
“Joseph, Ox and Oupa are local guys from Hoër Tegniese Skool Louis Botha. Joseph is explosive with ball in hand while Ox has proven to be unlucky not to be in the World Cup squad. Manjezi came through from Griquas with a phenomenal work rate and ball skills,” Smith said.
“Pokomela runs like a wing and jumps like a No 4 lock.
“They're massive for us and they’re all there on merit. All they need is a chance, which they made the most of.”
Whole the Cheetahs have partnerships with the Griffons and the Griquas, depth and finances remain an issue for the central franchise.
Unheralded players and, from time to time, journeymen need to be given opportunities to thrive.
While it comes across as just a word for some, opportunities mean everything for a player who is desperate to prove he belongs at the highest level.
Smith, whose brother Franco is leaving the Cheetahs for the Italy national team, understands the significance of opportunities.
“Each player in the current SA rugby setup wants a chance to play. There’s a huge amount of talent in SA rugby and that’s what we do. We’re a birthplace for opportunities and if a player makes the most of those chances, he will be the biggest beneficiary,” Smith said.
“That’s why I’m glad guys like Ox, Joseph and the rest of the guys took their chances, came through and showed they were good enough once they grabbed their opportunities.”
Smith also knows the Cheetahs have been a perpetual rugby nursery for the other franchises.
With Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira nearing the end of his glittering career, the Sharks needed a replacement and Ox is that man.
The stocky and powerful prop will be a massive loss to the Cheetahs, but Smith knows the rugby cycle in the Free State.
“His loss in November will be massive for us. He’s a quality player and person. He’s a Free State boy and the people in Bloemfontein love him. He’s going to be a massive loss for us,” Smith said.