Cheetahs (rugby union)

The Cheetahs are a South African professional rugby union team that compete in the Pro14 competition. The team is based in Bloemfontein, in the Free State province. The Cheetahs were originally one of the Super Rugby franchises when the competition expanded in 1998, representing the Free State and Northern Cape provinces.

Following a restructuring of Super Rugby, the Cheetahs joined the Pro14 (now United Rugby Championship) in 2017, along with the Southern Kings. Their home ground is the Free State Stadium, which also hosted matches during the 1995 Rugby World Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The team colours are orange, white, and green, reflecting the colours of the Free State province. The Cheetahs have historically been known for their attacking style of play. They draw players from the Free State Cheetahs provincial team, which competes in the Currie Cup. The Currie Cup is a domestic South African rugby competition, and the Free State Cheetahs have a long and successful history in that tournament, serving as a vital feeder system for the professional team.