Faf and Frans innovate with on-field communication for Cheetahs
· The South African
On Friday night, one moment stood out during the Cheetahs’ Currie Cup game against the Sharks XV. During a break in play, Faf de Klerk could be seen speaking on a two-way radio, and coach Frans Steyn later revealed the scrumhalf had been communicating with him as part of an interesting innovation.
It will draw comparisons to the style of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, who is always thinking up different ways of doing things, most famously using lights to communicate from the top of the stadium way back when he was Cheetahs coach.
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“If Faf has something on his mind and picks up the radio to share it with me, I love it,” the former Bok utility back told Rapport.
“I’m not out there on the field with them. We in the coaches’ box see things from a different perspective than the players do on the pitch.
“And after Faf and I spoke over the radio, there was a shift in the game. If I’m not mistaken, we scored points shortly afterwards.”
Faf de Klerk stars for Cheetahs
Besides his leadership role, De Klerk – who caught many by surprise when he signed for the Cheetahs – was named Man of the Match after Friday’s 43-21 Currie Cup win in Bloemfontein, scoring two tries and creating several others.
“Faf has only been with us for a few weeks, but his quality is already shining through,” he said.
First Division result to note
Meanwhile, the Eagles were crowned Currie Cup First Division champions on a frosty Friday evening in George when they delivered a dominant second half performance to beat the Valke 41-21, after they led by 19-14 at the break.
The hosts outscored the visitors from the East Rand by six tries to three in an entertaining final staged at Outeniqua Park.
The game was evenly balanced by the halfway mark, with the Eagles leading by only five points. However, the second half belonged entirely to the hosts as they dominated the forward battle, showed impressive defensive resolve, and displayed clinical finishing to round off a number of scoring opportunities.
The Eagles’ deserved victory brought smiles and joy to the rugby supporters of the Garden Route after their side had earlier missed out on qualifying for the Premier Division.