Free State Cheetahs

Infobox_esl_club | clubname = Free State Cheetahs


fullname = "Free State Cheetahs"
emblem = Cheetah
colours = Orange & white
founded = 1895
sport = Rugby union
league = Currie Cup
coach = Rassie Erasmus
ground = Vodacom Park
web = [http://www.fscheetahs.co.za/ fscheetahs.co.za] The Free State Cheetahs (formerly the Orange Free State), for sponsorship reasons named Vodacom Free State Cheetahs, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They are governed by the Free State Rugby Union and are based at the 37,076-capacity Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein. The Cheetahs are the current Currie Cup champions, beating the Golden Lions in the 2007 final. This is their 3rd consecutive year as Currie Cup champions.

History

The Orange Free State Rugby Union was established in 1895, but did not make it to their first Currie Cup final appearance until 1973, when they lost to Northern Transvaal 30-22 at Loftus Versfeld. Just two seasons later, the Orange Free State met Northern Transvaal again in the Currie Cup final, losing 12-6 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. The following season, Orange Free State met the Western Province in the final, defeating them 33-16 in Bloemfontein, claiming their first Currie Cup championship. The next season, Orange Free State met Northern Transvaal in the Currie Cup final again, though Northern Transvaal defeated them 27-12 in Pretoria. For the fourth successive time, Orange Free State were in the final again, and again with Northern Transvaal, who defeated them 13-9.

They met Northern Transvaal in the 1981 season final. Northern Transvaal won 23-16. The Orange Free State/Free State Cheetahs made two final appearances in the 1990s, being runners-up to Transvaal and the Western Province in 1994 and 1997 respectively. In 2004, they were runners-up to the Blue Bulls in the final, however, the following season, the Free State defeated them in the final, 29 points to 25. The Free State finished at the top of the table of the 2006 season, and defeated the Sharks in their home semi to advance to their third final in as many years. The Cheetahs hosted the final, which ended in a 28-all draw after 20 minutes of extra-time.

In the 2007 season, the FS Cheetahs continued their great form, winning 13 of the 14 games before the finals. After beating the Blue Bulls in the semis at home, they won the Currie Cup for a third consecutive time by coming from behind to beat the Golden Lions by 20-18 in the final.

Finals results

Currie Cup

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External links

* [http://www.fscheetahs.co.za Official website]
* [http://www.sarugby.co.za/teams.asp?team=5134&Id=380&cl=yes Cheetahs] on SARugby.co.za
* [http://suparugby.co.za/pages/Default.asp?SectionID=169 Cheetahs] on Suparugby.co.za