Cheetahs (rugby union)
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| Union | South African Rugby Union |
|---|---|
| Emblem(s) | Cheetah |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Location | Bloemfontein, South Africa |
| Region |
Free State Northern Cape |
| Ground(s) | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein (Capacity: 48,000) |
| Coach(es) | Franco Smith |
| Captain(s) | Francois Venter |
| League(s) | Super Rugby |
| 2016 | 3rd (Africa 1 Conference) 6th (South African Group) 14th (overall) |
| Official website | |
| www |
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The Central Cheetahs, known for sponsorship reasons as the Toyota Cheetahs, is a South African rugby union team that entered the Super Rugby competition in 2006. They are based at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
The franchise area encompasses the western half of the Free State province, the same as that of provincial Currie Cup side the Free State Cheetahs. Between 2006 and 2015, the Griffons from the eastern half of the Free State province and Griquas from the Northern Cape province were Cheetahs franchise partners, but this ended prior to the 2016 Super Rugby season.
The Cheetahs was one of the two new franchises that entered the expanded Super 14 competition in 2006, the other being Australia's Western Force. The Central Union was awarded the fifth South African franchise over the SEC franchise in April 2005. In its first season the Cheetahs did surprisingly well, finishing tenth in the final standings, out of 14 sides. Prior to being accepted into the 2006 Super 14 season, the Cheetahs areas were represented as a part of the Cats franchise. In addition, before South Africa entered franchises into the Super 14, the Free State Currie Cup side competed in the 1997 Super 12 season.
The primary strip for the Toyota Cheetahs is a orange jersey with a white collar and white trim. Black shorts with orange socks and white trim. The colours are representative of the Free State Currie Cup side; orange and white (Free State Cheetahs)
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