Carling Currie Cup – Week 3
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV vs Toyota Cheetahs

The Toyota Cheetahs will travel to Durban this weekend to face the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont, as the hosts take the Carling Currie Cup action to the community. The clash kicks off at 17:10 on Saturday, 9 August, and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Head Coach Frans Steyn is anticipating a tough contest:

"I don't think it's going to be easy. We need to stick to the goals we've set for ourselves, and hopefully that will work in our favour. The Sharks have a lot of talent in their squad, so our focus has to remain on our plan and improving week by week. We must start well and maintain our intensity for the full 80 minutes.

Tiaan (Liebenberg, forwards coach) and the forwards are doing a great job. I'm impressed with the young guys giving everything on the pitch, and the experienced players providing direction."

This week also brings a special family moment as Franco Smith Junior lines up against his brother, Jean Smith.

"It's exceptional. It's always a privilege to play for the Toyota Cheetahs, and to do it this weekend in the Currie Cup against my brother is something special. I know he's a good player on his own journey, and I'm really excited."

The Cheetahs have made several changes from last weekend's match against the Pumas. In the forwards, Juan Venter, Daniel Maartens and Sisonke Vumazonke come into the starting lineup in place of Pierre Uys, Sasko Ndlovu and Gideon van der Merwe.

In the backline, Clayton Blommetjies, Cohen Jasper, Franco Smith, and Banie Britz replace Tiaan Swanepoel, Ntokozo Makhaza, and Franco Smith (previously at flyhalf).

On the bench, Thabang Mahlase, Gideon van der Merwe, Ali Mgijima, and Ethan Wentzel are named among the replacements.

Toyota Cheetahs Matchday 23

Cameron Dawson

Vernon Paulo

Frankie Dos Reis

Juan Venter

Victor Sekekete (C)

Daniel Maartens

Sisonke Vumazonke

Neels Volschenk

Jandre Nel

Clayton Blommetjies

Banie Britz

Franco Smith

Carel-Jan Coetzee

Ntokozo Makhaza

James Verity-Amm

Replacements
16. Louis van der Westhuizen
17. Hencus van Wyk
18. Aranos Coetzee
19. Thabang Mahlase
20. Gideon van der Merwe
21. Rewan Kruger
22. Ali Mgijima
23. Ethan Wentzel

Match Officials
Referee: AJ Jacobs
Assistant Referees: Paul Mente, Phumzile Mbewu
TMO: Egon Seconds

Unavailable due to injury
Munier Hartzenberg (hamstring), Carl Wegner (hamstring), Johan Kelly Okonkwo (knee), George Lourens (hand/forearm), Dux Manyama (hamstring), Prince Nkabinde (thumb), Michael Annies (foot), Tielman Niewoudt (back), Pieter Janse van Vuren (hamstring), Tiaan Swanepoel (groin).