High-flying Cheetahs ready for Lions challenge

In week five of the Carling Currie Cup, the Toyota Cheetahs are taking on the Fidelity ADT Lions in Toyota Staduim in Bloemfontein. The match kicks off at 2pm with a live broadcast on SuperSport.

The Cheetahs currently top the log with 16 league points, while the Johannesburg outfit sits third on 15 points.

After a tough opening-round defeat to Boland in Wellington, Frans Steyn's side have bounced back strongly with three consecutive wins, the latest a nail-biting 31–24 triumph over Western Province.

The Lions, meanwhile, edged the Pumas by a single point last week. Their only setback so far came against the in-form Bolanders, who beat them 29-10 in Wellington.

Jandre Nel has scored four tries so far, the most by a Cheetah player, while Rabz Maxwane have collected three tries in four games for the Lions.

History favours the Lions, who've won all three of the most recent meetings, including a 43-34 victory at Ellis Park last September, as well as two away wins in Bloemfontein. The Cheetahs' last triumph over the men from Johannesburg came back in April 2023, a convincing 52-15 result at Ellis Park.

Gates open at 9.30am, with a Golden Oldies game at 10am0 and Toyota Cheetahs Mini Rugby for Gr RR, R and Under-9's starting at 11am.

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. Limited place availibe.

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 Lalla.

Five randomly selected fans who bought tickets for the 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 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.

Toyota Cheetahs starting XV: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Ali Mgjijima, 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 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Marko JV Rensburg, 1 Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Ben Pitout, 19 Thabang Mahlase, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Jandre Nel, 22 Banie Britz, 23 Michael Annies.

Fidelity ADT Lions starting XV: 15 Gianni Lombard, 14 Angelo davids, 13 Manuel Rass, 12 Rynhardt Jonker, 11 Kelly Mpeku; 10 Lubabalo Dobela, 9 Nico Steyn; 8 Jarod Cairns, 7 Siba Qoma, 6 Renzo du Plessis; 5 Darrien Landberg, 4 Ruben Schoeman; RF Schoeman, 2 Morne Brandon, 1 Juan Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 SJ Kotze, 18 Sebastian Lombard, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 WJ Steenkamp, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Sam Francis, 23 Tapiwa Mafura.

Toyota Cheetahs v Fidelity ADT Lions - Saturday @ Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein (2pm)

Referee: Dylen November

Broadcast: SuperSport