Cheetahs begin Currie Cup chase against Kavaliers

The Carling Currie Cup is finally here, and the Toyota Cheetahs will kick-off their campaign against the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers on Sunday in Wellington. The action starts at 3pm and will be live on SuperSport Rugby.

Frans Steyn, director of rugby and head coach of the Cheetahs said on Thursday: “The one thing that I’m glad about the game against Georgia was that we had to lift our physicality to the next level and I believe that is what you need to do in this Currie Cup, because it is going to be a tough one. I’m excited to see the players in action. They’ve been working hard.”

Victor Sekekete, the captain of the Cheetahs added: “There is a lot of competition, especially with a number of young, talented guys coming through. Young players are stepping up and it is good for South African rugby. I believe that it will be a tough and competitive Currie Cup. When you play a game, you need to score points; otherwise, you’re going to play catch-up rugby.”

The referee for the match is Stephan Geldenhuys.

The following players were not available for selection due to injury: Munier Hartzenberg (hamstring), Carl Wegner (hamstring), Johan Kelly Okonkwo (knee), George Lourens (hand), Dux Manyama (hamstring), Prince Nkabinde (thumb), Michael Annies (foot) and Tielman Niewoudt (back).

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers starting XV: 15 James Tedder, 14 Marcqiewn Titus, 13 David Brits, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Donavan Don; 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Chriswill September; 8 Sibusiso Sangweni, 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Gift Dlamini; 5 Marlyn Williams (capt), 4 Michael Benadie; 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Wayrin Losper. Replacements: 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Ameer Hendricks, 20 Thurlow Marsh, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Xavier Mitchell.

Toyota Cheetahs starting XV: 15 ⁠Cohen Jasper, 14 ⁠Ntokozo Makhaza, 13 ⁠Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 ⁠Ali Mgijima, 11 ⁠Banie Britz; 10 ⁠Ethan Wentzel, 9 ⁠Rewan Kruger; 8 ⁠Neels Volschenk, 7 ⁠Pierre-Raymond Uys, 6 ⁠Gideon van der Merwe; 5 ⁠Victor Sekekete (capt), 4 ⁠Pieter Jansen van Vuren; 3 ⁠Frankie Dos Reis, 2 ⁠Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Hencus van Wyk. Replacements: 16 ⁠Vernon Paulo, 17 ⁠Cameron Dawson, 18 ⁠Ben Pitout, 19 ⁠Sisonke Vumazonke, 20 ⁠Daniel Maartens, 21 ⁠Jandre Nel, 22 ⁠Carel-Jan Coetzee, 23 ⁠Clayton Blommetjies.

Sanlam Boland Kavaliers v Toyota Cheetahs - Sunday @ Sanlam Boland Stadium, Wellington (3pm)

Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys

Broadcast: SuperSport Rugby