As a player for the Cheetahs and the Springboks, Frans Steyn was often startlingly honest, and this has extended to his new role as coach of the Free State Cheetahs.
Steyn has stepped down from his position as acting CEO of the Cheetahs to take on the role of head coach, and he admits he fluffed his lines in the Cheetahs’ SA Cup opening-round defeat to Boland last week. The 38-year-old has promised to be better against the Leopards on Friday.
The Cheetahs fell 19-0 behind after 23 minutes against the Kavaliers before fighting back to lead 29-25 in the second half of their match in Wellington. However, Lunathi Nxele’s third try put Boland back in front, and Garth April’s last-minute try sealed a 45-29 win for the team coached by former Cheetahs boss Hawies Fourie.
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“It was our first game, and coaching-wise, we made a lot of errors,” Steyn admitted. “We got outcoached by Boland.
"We have to learn and move forward. We won’t be outcoached again. We’ve changed things up offensively this week.”
Steyn also acknowledged the team’s lack of physical preparedness.
“Conditioning-wise, we weren’t ready for the contest,” he added. “We didn’t help ourselves. We came back well, but one mistake allowed them back into the game and reopened all our wounds.”
Steyn has adjusted his lineup for Friday’s Round 2 match against the Leopards in Bloemfontein. Captain Victor Sekekete is injured, while scrumhalf Jandre Nel has been promoted from the bench after impressing in Wellington.
“If you come off the bench, we need you to set a good example for the others,” Steyn said. “Jandre did that. Hopefully, he can do the same from the start this week. Victor Sekekete isn’t available, so Louis van der Westhuizen has stepped into the captaincy role. Everyone respects the way he operates — he performs the way a captain should.
"We want to return to a place where we give younger players an opportunity to play. Some players make mistakes, but they are eager to be on the field.
"The big thing for us is getting the right balance between experienced and younger players. It’s crucial in the months ahead as we prepare for the Currie Cup.”
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Van der Westhuizen, who represented the Leopards between 2014 and 2016, is well aware of the challenge the Cheetahs face this week.
“The Leopards always come out guns blazing,” the hooker said.
“They want to beat bigger teams — that is their mentality. We can’t expect anything less from them, and we must meet them with a bang from the start.”
Meanwhile, the Cheetahs have announced the signing of fullback/flyhalf Tiaan Swanepoel, who previously played for the Sharks and Lions and represented Namibia at the 2023 World Cup.
In other Round 2 SA Cup fixtures on Friday, Border will visit the Eagles in George. On Saturday, Griquas host the Valke, the Griffons take on Boland at home, and EP face the Pumas at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.