Cheetahs ready to run wild in Bloem

On Sunday the Toyota Cheetahs will welcome the Airlink Pumas to Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein for their Carling Currie Cup semi-final. The match kicks off at 3.30pm and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

The Cheetahs finished second on the table with five wins from seven matches, securing home-ground advantage at Toyota Stadium for Sunday's semis.

The Free Staters remain one of the competition's most experienced play-off outfits. Over the past five Carling Currie Cup seasons, the Cheetahs have been regular semi-finalists and tasted championship success in 2023, when they beat the Pumas 25-17 in Bloem to clinch the Currie Cup.

The Pumas won semi-finals in both 2022 and 2023 and advanced to consecutive finals, including their triumph in 2022 when they defeated Griquas in Kimberley.

Interestingly, recent history between the teams generally favours the Cheetahs. Before last weekend's result, the Free Staters had won four of the previous five meetings between them, with last weekend's big win at Mbombela Stadium snapping a four-game losing run.

Supporters can once again look forward to an exciting matchday experience. Stadium gates open at 1pm with kiddies entertainment at Cheetah Lane and a variety of food and beverage stalls catering for a top-class Sunday afternoon lunch. DJ Wim die Blixem provides live entertainment from 2.30pm on the deck next to the field.

Toyota owners can enjoy free parking in the designated Toyota parking area at Gate 1 on Att Horak Avenue. Parking is limited, and supporters are encouraged to arrive early.

During the match, four lucky supporters will have the opportunity to participate in the Kloppers Expert Kick to Win competition, where contestants attempt to land a rugby ball into one of eight bins to reveal a hidden prize.

Tickets are available online via Ticketpro or from the Toyota Stadium ticket office. Prices are R30 for kids 12 years and younger, R90 for the open stand and R130 for the main stand.

Please note that Toyota Stadium is a cash-free facility.

Toyota Cheetahs starting XV: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabinde; 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Faf de Klerk; 8 Neels Volschenk (capt), 7 Simon Miller, 6 Ramon Uys; 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Carl Wegner; 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Tebogo Nkosi. Replacements: 16 Stefan Venter, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Arno van der Merwe, 20 Sisonke Vumazonke, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Litha Nkula, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren.

Toyota Cheetahs v Airlink Pumas - Sunday @ Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein (3.30pm)

Referee: Christopher Allison

TV: SuperSport