Cheetahs fighting for their existence as Currie Cup qualification looms

These are trying times for the proud men from Bloemfontein. In February, the franchise was on the brink of financial collapse before a group of local businessmen stepped in to save the day.

Then there were two positives. One; double World Cup winner Faf de Klerk signed with the club for next season and two; with Wales restructuring its domestic game, one Welsh franchise will fall out of the United Rugby Championship and the Cheetahs are in pole position for that vacancy.

But they haven't helped themselves on the pitch. The Cheetahs are currently in fifth in the SA Cup standings and coming off a shock 43-36 loss to the lowly Falcons. Only the top four qualify for the world's oldest domestic rugby tournament, the Currie Cup.

As such, their final two matches - Border in East London and Griquas in Bloemfontein - have become must-win fixtures.

Cheetahs head coach Frans Steyn explained the dire situation.

"We need to win these two games," said the former Springbok.

"We are paying for our families and the people of Bloemfontein. The message is simple: 'If we don't win the next two games, none of us will probably have jobs'. That is a reality. We have let ourselves down.

"If we don't qualify for the Currie Cup, there is less money from SARU, and that is why I feel the SA Cup is a massive tournament.

"We need to be positive and control what we can. We will do our best for the next two weeks.

"We have to win the next two weeks. It is as simple as that. We have put ourselves in this hole, and we must get ourselves out. As coaches, it is our job to fix this, and we will fix it."