Frans Steyn Warns of Impending Job Losses as Cheetahs Face Historic Currie Cup Exclusion

Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn warns that players and staff could lose their jobs if the team fails to qualify for the Currie Cup after a shock SA Cup loss.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 3:37 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Rugby365

Steyn Issues Ultimatum Following Shock SA Cup Defeat

The Cheetahs’ professional standing has reached a critical juncture following a surprising 43-36 loss to the lowly Falcons, a result that has left the Bloemfontein franchise outside the qualification zone for the Currie Cup. Head coach Frans Steyn addressed the gravity of the situation, explicitly stating that failure to secure a top-four finish in the SA Cup would likely result in the loss of jobs for players and coaching staff alike. According to Steyn, the team is no longer just playing for prestige but for the financial survival of their families and the broader Bloemfontein rugby community. The coach emphasized that the reality of their current standing has doused any previous euphoria regarding potential future inclusion in international competitions.

Financial Implications of Currie Cup Absence

A failure to qualify for South Africa’s premier domestic competition would trigger a significant reduction in funding from the South African Rugby Union (SARU), a prospect that Steyn described as ruinous. This financial shortfall would force the franchise into a lower tier of the domestic game, fundamentally altering its professional structure. Steyn suggested that for non-United Rugby Championship teams, the SA Cup has now surpassed the Currie Cup in immediate importance, as it serves as the sole gateway to maintaining professional viability and securing the necessary revenue to sustain a full-time roster.

Roster Stability Threatened by Potential Relegation

The threat of exclusion from the top flight comes at a particularly sensitive time for the franchise’s recruitment strategy, most notably involving the recent signing of Faf de Klerk. The two-time World Cup-winning scrumhalf committed to a two-year deal to return to South Africa from Japan, but the Cheetahs' current struggles raise the possibility of the 34-year-old veteran playing in the lowest division of the domestic game. This disconnect between the pedigree of the squad’s signings and their current competitive performance has placed immense pressure on the coaching trio of Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, and Tiaan Liebenberg to rectify tactical failures before the season concludes.