'It is simply not true' - Cheetahs CEO hits out at 'misleading' report
Cheetahs chairman Ryno Opperman has shed some light on the financial state of the Union amid ‘misleading’ media reports. Last year the Cheetahs were dumped by the PRO14. In December it was then revealed that the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and the Stormers will be competing in a new 16-team ‘Rainbow Cup’ competition with the current PRO14 teams, which kicks off in April.
The omission has led to major concerns, especially the financial position of the union.
In a letter on the Cheetahs’ website, Opperman addressed an article in the Afrikaans newspaper Rapport, which reported that Free State players have approached businesses to take up shares in the franchise.
Opperman stated that media reports saying “players are now begging for money could be misleading and does not provide the whole background and facts”.
He wrote: “According to the article, the Cheetahs’ captain, Ruan Pienaar, his teammate William Small-Smith and the team’s focus coach, Ruan Botha, approached a group of businesses to take up shares in the Cheetahs.
“The report creates the impression that the Cheetahs’ financial position is so dire that players have to beg for external money – it is simply not true.
“At the end of 2020, I met with a representative of the consortium to discuss possible investment and shareholding in the Cheetahs.
“Because some of the parties involved went on holiday, we agreed to pause the discussion over the festive season. A follow-up meeting is, however, scheduled for the coming week.
“Over the festive season, the Free State president, the managing director, myself and others worked tirelessly with SA Rugby and potential investors. The interaction included our faithful sponsor Toyota South Africa, a substantial investor in the franchise over the past few years,”
Opperman also revealed that the Bloemfontein franchise has been hard at work to seek an alternative tournament in Europe.
“Other developments are also in the pipeline, including possible participation in the Inter-Continental tournament in Europe.
“Our director of rugby, Hawies Fourie, continues to negotiate contracts with current and potentially new players. The Cheetahs’ omission from the PRO16 and understandable uncertainty resulted in some of the top players leaving the franchise.Hawies is, however, making progress in building a team that can take us forward.
A little bit of Kalyn Ponga plus a dash of Tim Horan… Not a bad recipe. #SuperRugbyhttps://t.co/zoYAsnup50
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 17, 2021
He added: “Players are contracted to play rugby and not to become involved in management. The coverage and speculation in Rapport do not contribute to the wellbeing of the Cheetahs.
“Player turnover is commonplace in professional rugby. Professional rugby players move to other franchises because of money, to further their careers, to seek new opportunities and experiences. Contract and family factors also play a role.
“Not only the Cheetahs but also other franchises such as the Bulls, the Sharks, the Lions, the Stormers and overseas teams regularly experience a turnover of players. One only has to look at the players who represented any of these teams two years ago, to realise how they have changed.
“Not only players but also coaches and other professionals such as physiotherapists, doctors and psychologists move between franchises.
'If you’re waiting for other people to make a mistake … it’s like watching us playing Wales in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup'https://t.co/Fgc7tJ4uB6
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 16, 2021
“The experience and leadership of our Managing director, Harold Verster, is invaluable in these uncertain times. We have succession plans in place for when there is more certainty about the Cheetahs’ immediate future,”
Opperman concluded the letter on a positive note, stating that they are capable of meeting all our contractual obligations and are making good progress with potential participation in domestic and international competitions.
“Nobody underestimates the disruption due to COVID-19 and the resulting economic and financial pressure. Free State Rugby has existed for more than 125 years and has weathered many crises. The Free State Cheetah management confirm that we are capable of meeting all our contractual obligations and that we are making good progress with our potential participation in domestic and international competitions.
“The good news is that the Cheetahs is still a very popular brand. An independent marketing survey has just found that the Cheetahs’ exposure and publicity have surpassed all goals and expectations of our sponsors. It makes us proud and grateful,”
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
9 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
9 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
9 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
9 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments