Charging Cheetahs pumped for derby clash with Griquas

On Friday afternoon, the Toyota Cheetahs will play in one of their most important Carling Currie Cup games of the season against the Griquas in Toyota Stadium. The match kicks off at 5pm and will be live on SuperSport.

Gates open at 2pm and at 2.45pm, Fichardtpark and Voortrekker (BVHS) will face off in the U-14 Shimla Youth League final.

There will be something tasty for everyone at the food trucks and plenty of entertainment to keep the kids bouncing. Enjoy live entertainment at the Castle Deck, before and after the match with Jac Philips, followed by DJ LeGoody to keep the party going.

Five randomly selected fans who bought tickets for the Carling Currie Cup match can win big in the Kloppers Expert Half-Time Kicking Competition.

Each finalist will get one shot to kick a rugby ball into any of the eight bins placed on the field, and if the ball lands inside a bin, they win the prize hidden inside. Prizes include a Kloppers Expert voucher worth R2 000, a Snomaster Ice Machine, a Ryobi Cordless Drill, a Biltong Cutter, a Weber Kettle Braai, a JBL Flip Speaker, a Stanley Cooler Box, a case of beer and four tickets to the next Carling Currie Cup match.

Tickets are only R60 for the main stand, R40 for the open stand and R30 for students and kids. Tickets are available online at Ticketpro or can be purchased from the ticket office in Toyota Stadium.

If you drive a Toyota vehicle, you can park for free in the Toyota parking area at Toyota Stadium. Remember to have your match-day ticket ready to show at the gate. Entrance to the Toyota parking area is only at Gate 1 in Att Horak Avenue. Space is limited, so come early.

From now until the end of the Carling Currie Cup, Fridays are Orange Friday. If you and your business or group of friends wear orange and share your photos with #OrangeFriday, you could win a Bosch Hand Drill 750W 220V and a Pferd Abrasive Combination Set 115mm, sponsored by Kiloton.

Enjoy the day with your family and friends at Toyota Stadium and be part of all the action.

Cheetahs captain and lock, Victor Sekekete, is set to play his 100th game on Friday against Griquas.

Sekekete joined the Cheetahs in 2020 from Griquas and has played 99 matches for the Bloemfontein side since then.

Sekekete shared his gratitude for this milestone with the Cheetahs. "I feel blessed and honoured to have the privilege to be playing my 100th for the Toyota Cheetahs.

"It's a dream come true. If you walk into the change rooms and see the names of the legends you've played here before, it's very inspiring. It has been a motivation for me. I'm filled with gratitude as I think of the journey I've come from. I can't be happier. I'm very grateful that I have not struggled with many injuries. My family supports me a lot."

Sekekete, who played for the Junior Springboks in 2014, also represented the Lions and the Southern Kings.

Tiaan Liebenberg, the Cheetahs forwards coach said on Thursday: "Games between the Cheetahs and Griquas have always been massive. The Griquas are definitely the in-form team at the moment. They play an unbelievable brand of rugby but come Friday afternoon, we've got a challenge and we have to man up on it. They have a dominant pack and are well-coached; when they take to the pitch, you can see that they are ready to play."

Coach Frans Steyn made four changes to the starting line-up with Cameron Dawson and Hencus van Wyk switching places. John-Kelly Okonkwo will be making his debut for the Cheetahs with Frankie Dos Reis on reserve. Carel-Jan Coetzee moves to No 12 centre with Marco Janse van Vuren in the No 13 jersey. Ali Mgijima will provide cover on the bench. Pierre-Raymond Uys return to play and will be on the bench.

Toyota Cheetahs starting XV: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Marco Janse van Vuren, 12 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 11 Cohen Jasper; 10 Franco Smith, 9 Rewan Kruger; 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Mihlali Mosi, 6 Gideon van der Merwe; 5 Victor Sekekete (capt), 4 Juan Venter; 3 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 2 Marko Jansen van Rensburg, 1 Hencus van Wyk. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Pierre-Raymond Uys, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Jandré Nel, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Michael Annies.

Suzuki Griquas starting XV: 15 Cameron White, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 11 Gurswin Wehr; 10 George Whitehead, 9 Caleb Abrahams; 8 Gustav Erlank, 7 Carl Els, 6 Lourens Oosthuizen; 5 Albert Liebenberg, 4 Malembe Mpofu; 3 Cebo Dlamini, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Eddie Davids. Replacements: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Marco de Witt, 21 Thomas Bursey, 22 Tom Nel, 23 Connor Mahoney.