Which part do you think is untrue? I'm not necessarily talking about the young kids who might have rugby careers ahead of them, they will find unions to play for. I'm referring to the fans. The kids who will be the fans of Tommorow. Do you really think a kid who was brought up in Vrystaat or North West with his father supporting the Cheetahs will now go and say "it's cool, I will just support the Lions or Bulls" no they won't, these people there might not even watch the rugby such as the pro 14, their kids won't be exposed to it anymore.
Can you honestly argue that you think the Lions are better supported than the Cheetahs ? If not is the monetary side really that important to you? I for one will take the monetary side into my decision making yes, but the Lions and Cheetahs are really touch and go so much so that the cultural aspect is much more prominent when a decision about the two is made.
Lions better chances of winning silverware? Say that to the Currie cup champions. I am not happy that this area of the country is continually disregarded, even when they have worked hard to make a success.
Can the Cheetahs maintain their fanbase with only Currie cup rugby ?
The Lions have a bigger fanbase than the cheetahs. Definitely. But the Cheetahs are everyone's 2nd team. They are the underdog everyone loves. So while you might see guys being supportive of the cheetahs, they aren't their first choice team. When the Lions hosted the Super Rugby Semis and Finals they had sold stadiums for Ellis Park, a stadium which usually only sells out for Springbok tests. I can't remember when was the last time I saw Bloemfontein Stadium sold out. And this is one of the main issues, the bums in the seats at the stadiums. The Cheetahs have a very poor record when it comes to attendance to their home matches, with only Currie Cup finals drawing a big enough crowd.
Which age group are you talking about here with regards to kids. As it's a very fine line you are contesting. Most young kids will pick the same team as their father's supporting. Teenagers will either stick to that team or jump ship, mostly because of a player they really love, or because they have an estranged relationship with their father and doesn't want to support the same team his supporting.
And it's not like the Cheetahs are going into limbo. This article says that the Cheetahs will be part of a Super 8 Competition that will secure them of additional income:
SA Rugby's general council has voted to have the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers as the four franchises that will participate in a mooted PRO16 expansion.
www.news24.com
So there was a compromise made, and the Cheetahs agreed to the arrangement, so it doesn't sound like anybody should be angry or cause riots. It sounds to me like an amicable solution was found by all parties. What this Super 8 tournament will be however, is not clear yet.
It's unfortunate for the Cheetahs, yes, and I feel sorry for them, but they kind of knew it was coming. Remember when the initial agreement was made to send the Cheetahs and the Kings up north, SARU said that they will be sent there to test the waters, and see if it's more feasible for SA Rugby, than Super Rugby. So it's basically that they were the Recon team sent out ahead of the army...
