Cheetahs celebrate Europe with champagne, but it's all-or-nothing in Currie Cup now

The Cheetahs allowed themselves the small indulgence of filling up a few champagne flutes at training on Thursday to celebrate the news that they'll be back in an international competition next season.

Sporting official confirmation from SA Rugby and European Professional Club Rugby (ECPR) as well as the actual signed document, Ross van Reenen, the central franchise's CEO, assembled the players and coaches to share the news that they will be joining the Lions in contesting the European Challenge Cup.

His announcement was met with a hearty applause.

READ | Cheetahs included as SA's European ticket confirmed from next season

The tournament is effectively to the Champions Cup (which the Bulls, Stormers and Sharks will compete in) what the Europa League is to the Champions League in soccer.

Hawies Fourie, one of the main figures in the Cheetahs' trials and tribulations over the past 18 months after the team was voted out of the PRO14 at the end of 2020, appeared content during the team announcement for Friday's Currie Cup meeting with the Pumas in Bloemfontein without being over-elated.

"It's great news for us. It's been a long time coming," said the Free Staters' head coach.

"We look forward to playing in the competition. Last year we were slated to play in the Challenge Cup, but those plans were cancelled so there was a bit of disappointment. Yet I'm pretty sure everyone is excited about playing some of the top teams in Europe."

However, Fourie then made a point of stating that the Cheetahs now need to temporarily shelve their joy because, if anything, their form in the Currie Cup (9 wins from 10 starts) was a deciding factor in convincing detractors of their suitability for the Challenge Cup. 

Going deep into this year's campaign