'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
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to comments