The Carling Currie Cup may have come to an end, but the Toyota Cheetahs' 2026/27 season is far from over.

The next chapter takes the team beyond South Africa's borders, beginning with the away leg of the 2026 Toyota Challenge in Tbilisi, Georgia, before the Toyota Cheetahs return to European competition in the 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup.

The international phase of the season forms an important part of the Toyota Cheetahs' sporting and commercial strategy. It provides an opportunity to test the squad against different rugby cultures, expose players to international competition, strengthen relationships beyond South Africa and continue growing the Toyota Cheetahs brand on the international stage.

First Stop: Tbilisi, Georgia

The Toyota Cheetahs will travel to Tbilisi for the second leg of the expanded 2026 Toyota Challenge, where they will compete for the Tbilisi Cup alongside the Airlink Pumas, Suzuki Griquas, Lusitanos of Portugal, Iberians of Spain and Georgia's Black Lion.

The tour marks the first time a Free State senior rugby team has travelled to Georgia, giving the Toyota Cheetahs valuable international playing and cultural experience.

Georgia is renowned for its physical approach to rugby and powerful forward play, while the Black Lion has established itself as a leading representative club side in the country.

The Toyota Cheetahs will face Lusitanos, Iberians and Black Lion during the Tbilisi leg.

Toyota Challenge – Tbilisi Fixtures

The Tbilisi leg follows the successful South African leg of the Toyota Challenge, hosted at Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, earlier this year. The competition brings together teams from Africa and Europe and provides an important platform for international competition and player development.

Toyota Cheetahs Touring Squad

The Toyota Cheetahs travelling squad is:

Duncan Basson, Sibabalwe Booi, Aidon Davis, Darius Erwee, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Daniel Maartens, Ntokozo Makhaza, Matome Manyma, Mihlali Mosi, Sasko Ndlovu, Jandré Nel, Tielman Niewoudt, Siya Ningiza, Tebogo Nkosi, Litha Nkula, John-Kelly Okonkwo, Ben Pitout, Shaun Ray, Juandre Schoeman, Tiaan Swanepoel, Arno van der Merwe, Louis van der Westhuizen, Juan Venter, Stefan Venter, Erich Visser, Sisonke Vumazonke, Carl Wegner and Ethan Wentzel.

Toyota Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn said the tour will provide valuable game time for players returning from injury, as well as an opportunity to assess younger and newer squad members.

"The focus is primarily on match fitness and allowing players to get valuable game time, particularly those returning from injury. It is important that we get them back to full fitness and into a competitive environment."

Steyn said the tour would also provide an important introduction to senior rugby for several younger players.

"Duncan Basson, Sibabalwe Booi and Darius Erwee are young players who are coming through into the senior setup. We want to allow them to experience our team culture, understand how the senior environment works and gradually integrate them into the squad."

Several players will also return to action or make their first appearances for the Toyota Cheetahs.

"Siya Ningiza is returning from injury and, as a new signing, this will be his first opportunity to play for us. Shaun Ray has been part of our system and needs game time, while Juandre Schoeman (hooker) has recently joined us from the Bulls. We also have players such as Ntokozo Makhaza returning from injury, and this tour will help us assess where they are physically."

With a demanding international programme still ahead, Steyn said the squad would be managed carefully.

"We have a long season ahead, so we need to manage the players who have already played a lot of rugby over the past few months. Some will remain in Bloemfontein to continue their preparation while this group travels to Georgia."

The tour will also form part of the coaching staff's broader assessment of the squad ahead of the remainder of the season.

"These matches are important for us to assess where we are as a squad. Every player will have an opportunity to show what he can contribute, while we continue preparing for the important matches that lie ahead."

Looking Ahead to Europe

Following the Toyota Challenge in Georgia, the Toyota Cheetahs will turn their attention to the 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup.

The Toyota Cheetahs will again compete against established European clubs, with their Pool 1 campaign featuring fixtures against Ulster Rugby, USAP (Perpignan), Dragons RFC, Aviron Bayonnais and Zebre Parma.

The European campaign will give the squad another chance to compete against some of Europe's leading professional teams.

EPCR Challenge Cup Fixtures

Should the Toyota Cheetahs progress, the campaign will continue into the knockout stages in April 2027, culminating in the EPCR Finals in Lyon in May 2027.

The international season offers the Toyota Cheetahs an important opportunity to represent the Free State beyond South Africa, develop players and staff through international competition, strengthen international relationships, and continue building the Toyota Cheetahs brand beyond its traditional borders.

All Toyota Cheetahs matches will be live on SuperSport.