Carling Currie Cup Round 6  

Toyota Cheetahs Team Announcement – Sanlam Boland Kavaliers

The Toyota Cheetahs are hosting the Sanlam Boland Kavaliers on Sunday, 23 August at Toyota Stadium. The Carling Currie Cup game kicks off at 15:00 with a live broadcast on SuperSport.

Supporters can once again look forward to an exciting matchday experience. Stadium gates open at 11:00, with live entertainment by Rudo Schwim from 12:30 to 13:30 at the Castle Deck and a Golden Oldies game between Collegians Fanas and Kimberley Cowboys at 12:00.

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, five 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.

Ticket prices:
• Main Stand: R100 (adults)
• Open Stand: R60 (adults)
• Children: R30
• Students: R35 (designated student area)

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

Griquas and the Toyota Cheetahs currently share the top spot on 21 points, with the Pumas (17) and Boland Cavaliers (16) occupying the remaining positions in the top four. The Lions (13), Stormers XXIII (11) and Sharks XV (10) remain within striking distance, while the Bulls XV (4) are still searching for their first win of the campaign.

A Toyota Cheetahs victory would guarantee a playoff place and keep them in contention for a home semi-final. For Boland, an upset in Bloemfontein could go a long way towards securing a top-four finish while simultaneously denting the Cheetahs' hopes of finishing first.

The Kavaliers won last year's meeting 37-35 in Wellington, while the Free Staters have the edge in terms of form over their respective previous five games in all competitions.

Coach Frans Steyn said: "The next two weeks are crucial for us. We need to deliver a proper performance this weekend. Boland will have a lot of support in Bloemfontein, but we have to focus on playing good rugby, and hopefully we can fill the stadium before the end of the Currie Cup."

On the team's injury list, Steyn said there are several factors to consider: "The team didn't have a proper pre-season, and there are a lot of factors that can contribute to injuries. But injuries also create opportunities for other players, which keeps the competition within the team strong."

"We're looking forward to seeing some players return to the team, but they will have to earn their place. When you get an opportunity, you have to take it and perform."

Toyota Cheetahs

1. Tebogo Nkosi
2. Juan Smal
3. Frankie Dos Reis
4. Simon Miller
5. Victor Sekekete
6. Ramon Uys
7. Sisonke Vumazonke
8. Neels Volschenk (C)
9. Faf de Klerk
10. Tiaan Swanepoel
11. Prince Nkabinde
12. Zander du Plessis
13. Carel-Jan Coetzee
14. Michael Annies
15. Clayton Blommetjies

Replacements

16. Stefan Venter
17. Dux Manyama
18. John-Kelly Okonkwo
19. Arno van der Merwe
20. Pierre Uys
21. Rewan Kruger
22. Cohen Jasper
23. Jooste Nel

Match Officials

The referee for the match is Morne Ferreira. He will be assisted by Dylen November and Stiaan Marx. The TMO is Marius van der Westhuizen.

Players unavailable due to injury

Vice Hofmeyr (shoulders), Ntokozo Makhaza (knee), Louis van der Westhuizen (ankle), Gideon van der Merwe (lower leg), Munier Hartzenberg (knee), Henry Immelman (knee), Ben Pitout (shoulder), Ethan Wentzel (shoulder), Juan Venter, Siya Ningiza (lower leg), Carl Wegner (calf), Daniel Maartens (chest), Marco Jansen van Vuren (sternum/chest), and Jaco van der Walt (sick).

Marco Janse van Rensburg (Red card - two weeks).

NEXT MATCH: Carling Currie Cup - Toyota Cheetahs vs Airlink Pumas on Saturday, 29 August at 14:00 in Nelspruit.