EP’s opening two home games in the SA Cup during March against top tier teams the Pumas and Cheetahs will have a big say in whether they are able to clinch promotion to the Currie Cup Premier Division.
Make no mistake it will be a tough ask against outfits who are on a much better financial footing and strongly tipped to end among the top four teams in the SA Cup and qualify for promotion.
But, as Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse has pointed out, none of the more fancied SA Cup teams can expect an easy ride.
The Cheetahs discovered that when they crashed in a 45-29 defeat to the Boland Cavaliers in George in their opening game last week.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will be the stage for both games, which should prove to be crowd-pullers as EP bids to make its mark on the national stage.
First up are the Pumas on Saturday, and then the Free Staters roll into town on March 29.
After losing to the Falcons in their opening match in Kempton Park, the pressure is on EP to pick up points at home.
Though EP managed to reach the Currie Cup First Division final in 2024, they fared dismally in the SA Cup where they ended second from bottom on the log.
In what proved to be a testing campaign, the Elephants were beaten 61-0 by the Pumas, 50-0 by the Griquas and 59-26 by the Cheetahs.
The Cheetahs have made several changes to their coaching staff for 2025 and will be one of the favourites to lift the SA Cup despite their early setback against Boland.
For the 2025 SA Cup season, Cheetahs director of rugby Frans Steyn will be the head coach, Ruan Pienaar will be the backline coach, and Izak van der Westhuizen will return to his former role as forwards coach.
“All three coaches bring a wealth of experience in professional rugby, and the Toyota Cheetahs are fortunate to have them in our camp,” Cheetahs CEO Rory Duncan said.
“Frans, Ruan and Izak played for the Toyota Cheetahs [29, 88 and 77 caps, respectively] and other local and international teams.
“Frans and Ruan have 155 Springbok caps combined [67 and 88, respectively] and three World Cup victories.
“This is Frans’ and Ruan’s debut as coaches.
“They were both exceptional and versatile players, and their range of experience can only benefit the team.
“I strongly believe in allowing people to grow, and as a company, we will support them in their campaign.”
The Cheetahs’ campaign kicked off on Saturday against the Boland Cavaliers, which will be followed by their first home game on Friday, against the Leopards in Bloemfontein.
“It’s an interesting time for the Cheetahs and I think we are trying to build something special here,” Steyn said.
“Even when I was still playing, I couldn’t imagine finishing at the Free State Cheetahs and then getting the coaching job afterwards, and now we need to make it work.
“I’ve got two big men [Pienaar and Van der Westhuizen] next to me who will help me.”
“I think it will be difficult to make the Cheetahs a powerhouse again.
“I am more nervous about the coaching than the vision that I have. In my heart, I want us to play good, winning rugby.”
EP’s remaining SA Cup fixtures:
Saturday vs Pumas (home), March 22 vs Eagles (away), March 29 vs Cheetahs (home), April 6 vs Leopards (home), April 13 vs Griquas (away), April 26 vs Border Bulldogs (away), May 3 vs Griffons (home). Semifinals: May 17. Final May 24.
The Herald
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