Cheetahs ready for Griquas challenge

It’s the Carling Currie Cup semi-finals and the Toyota Cheetahs are ready to battle it out against the Suzuki Griquas on Saturday evening in Kimberley. The action kicks off at 7.15pm and will be live on SuperSport.

Toyota Cheetahs coach, Frans Steyn said: “I’m proud of the boys for the way they’ve fought to reach the semi-finals. The work was done throughout the season and now it’s about executing on the day. We need to focus on what we do best, enjoy the game and play for each other.

“Against Griquas earlier in the season, we let small individual errors creep in and those moments made the scoreline look worse than the performance. We’ve learned from that and we’re determined to put together a complete 80-minute performance this weekend.

“For me, we’ve already achieved something special this season. But at the same time, semi-finals are about delivering when it matters most and the boys know what’s at stake.”

Toyota Cheetahs captain, Victor Sekekete added: “We’re excited for the challenge ahead. Everyone in the squad wants more. We’re improving week by week and we know we need to step up against Griquas. Last time we didn’t get it right but this is our chance to fix that.”

Steyn made one change to the starting line-up from last week's game with Clayton Blommetjie moving from fullback to flyhalf to replace the injured Franco Smith. Michael Annies will be wearing the No 15 jersey and Ali Mgijima will provide cover on the bench.

Suzuki Griquas v Toyota Cheetahs - Saturday @ Suzuki Stadium, Kimberley (7.15pm)

Referee: Stephan Geldenhuys

Broadcast: SuperSport

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

Toyota Cheetahs starting XV: 15 Michael Annies, 14 Prince Nkabinde 13 Marco Janse van Vuuren, 12 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 11 Cohen Jasper; 10 Clayton Blommetjies, 9 Jandre Nel; 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Gideon van der Merwe; 5 Victor Sekekete (capt), 4 Juan Venter; 3 Frankie dos Ries, Marko Janse van Vuuren, 1 Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Sisonke Vumazonke, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Ali Mgijima, 23 Banie Britz.