Posted on Friday, 24 Oct 2025
Toyota Challenge Round 2: Toyota Cheetahs vs Black Lion
On Sunday, 26 October, the Toyota Cheetahs and Black Lion will face each other again in the second Toyota Challenge match at 15:00 in Toyota Stadium.
While Free State Rugby still celebrates 130 years of existence, fans can look forward to an action-packed day starting at 12:30 with the Cheetah Legends against the Blue Bull Rugby Union Legends. Gates open at 11:30, and both games will be live on SuperSport 211.
Each match between the Toyota Cheetahs and Black Lion comes with a R250,000 prize for the winning team. This substantial reward heightens the excitement of the competition while celebrating the teams' exceptional performances, with extra prize money also awarded to the Player of the Match.
The Black Lions from Georgia are the other invitees in the ECPR Challenge Cup, which takes place in December 2025 and January 2026. This encounter will provide good preparation for both teams, as the competition kicks off on the weekend of 6 December in Europe.
Supporters also have a chance to win R5,000 in cash by displaying a poster at Toyota Stadium and posting a selfie on Facebook using the #ToyotaPassion.
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 main match, with Eloff to keep the party going.
Five randomly selected fans can win big in the Kloppers Expert Kick to Win 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, and two season tickets for the 2026.
Tickets are only R50 for the main stand, R30 for the open stand and R20 for students and kids. Tickets are available online at Ticketpro or at the ticket office at Toyota Stadium.
If you drive a Toyota vehicle, you can park for free in the Toyota parking area at Toyota Stadium. Remember to have your matchday ticket ready to show at the gate. Entrance to the Toyota parking area is only at Gate 1 in Att Horak Avenue. Space is limited, so come early.
Enjoy the day with your family and friends at Toyota Stadium and be part of all the action. Join us after work on Friday – it's going to be a great day with exciting rugby!
Team Announcement
Toyota Cheetahs
Replacements:
16. Marko Jansen van Rensburg, 17. Tebogo Nkosi, 18. Frankie Dos Reis, 19. Arno van der Merwe, 20. Daniel Maartens, 21. Rewan Kruger, 22. Clayton Blommetjies, 23. James Verity-Amm.
Match Officials
Referee: Hanru van Rooyen
Assistant Referees: Scott Oliver, Clearance Khumalo
TMO: Ben Crouse
Unavailable due to injury
Carl Wegner (hamstring), George Lourens (hand/forearm), Dux Manyama (hamstring), Pieter Janse van Vuren (hamstring), Tiaan Swanepoel (groin), Munier Hartzenberg (hamstring), Ethan Wentzel (ankle), Carel-Jan Coetzee (ankle), Vernon Paulo (ankle) and Litha Nkula (hand), Banie Brits (hand).
About Toyota Challenge: The first Toyota Challenge was held in 2021, providing the Toyota Cheetahs with the opportunity to play opponents they would regularly face in competitions. In 2021, they faced Diables from Barcelona, the Sharks and Baia Mare from Romania. In 2022, they played against Emerging Ireland, the USA National A side and the Griquas. In 2023, the Western Force travelled to Bloemfontein for two games, while the Toyota Cheetahs visited Perth, Australia, for two more tough games. Through the Toyota Challenge, the Toyota Cheetahs formed and fostered strong relationships with clubs worldwide. Last year, the Toyota Cheetahs faced Western Force, the Griffons, and Emerging Ireland for a second year.
