Five reasons why Hawies Fourie's peaking Cheetahs are in the Currie Cup final

The Cheetahs have more than "justified" inclusion in next season's European Challenge Cup, which is expected to be confirmed on Wednesday, by almost seamlessly reaching this year's Currie Cup final.

And it will be a hometown occasion against the Pumas at the Free State Stadium on Saturday.

This past weekend's 39-10 hammering of the Bulls in their semi-final was a triumph of pragmatism and focus.

Hawies Fourie's troops showed an immense physical edge in taming their opponents' URC-laden pack by harrying them on defence and exploiting indiscipline through the unerring boot of the seemingly age-less Ruan Pienaar.

Yet if that victory represented the zenith (to date) of the Free Staters' season, several other factors have brought them to this point.

Here are five reasons why the Cheetahs became a rock-solid bet for a seventh Currie Cup title in 2023.

RUAN PIENAAR

The Cheetahs' campaign hasn't been just about one man, but one could forgive supporters and observers who do hold that view.

Pienaar, who is 39 and slated to retire from all rugby at the end of the season, played like a game-manager in his prime.

He has been a commanding presence in all his appearances and - whether by luck or design - has avoided the injury niggles that hampered him previously at times since returning home to Bloemfontein back in 2019.

His unwavering class and secure decision-making also meant that Fourie could mask a lack of continuity and form in the flyhalf position, where injury blighted Siya Masuku's opportunity to build on a fine 2022 and Reinhardt Fortuin and George Lourens struggled to impose themselves.

In fact, Pienaar's move to No 10 proved the catalyst for the Cheetahs' final push into the play-offs after a mid-season wobble.

His influence