The Toyota Cheetahs are set to take their international campaign to France as they prepare for their opening match of the 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup season against French side Aviron Bayonnais on Sunday, 18 October, at Stade Jean Dauger in Bayonne.

The team will embrace the challenge, represent the Free State with pride, and deliver the Cheetahs rugby brand supporters have come to expect.

The touring squad combines experience and emerging talent as the Toyota Cheetahs begin their latest European campaign.

Backs | Michael Annies, Carel-Jan Coetzee, Faf de Klerk, Zander du Plessis, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Cohen Jasper, Henry Immelman, Prince Nkabinde, Jaco van der Walt, Erich Visser.

Forwards | Frankie Dos Reis, Aidon Davis, Carl Els, Siya Ningiza, Matome Manyama, Simon Miller, Tebogo Nkosi, Jaundre Schoeman, Victor Sekekete, Ben Pitout, Juan Venter, Louis van der Westhuizen, Neels Volschenk, Tielman Niewoudt, Carl Wegner.

The Toyota Cheetahs compete in Pool 1 of the 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup alongside Ulster Rugby, USAP, Dragons RFC, Aviron Bayonnais and Zebre Parma. Their four pool-stage fixtures are:

• Sunday 18 October 2026: Aviron Bayonnais v Toyota Cheetahs, 12:00, Stade Jean Dauger, Bayonne
• Sunday 13 December 2026: Toyota Cheetahs v Dragons RFC, 15:00, St Helen’s, Swansea
• Sunday 10 January 2027: Zebre Parma v Toyota Cheetahs, 19:30, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
• Sunday 17 January 2027: Toyota Cheetahs v USAP, 17:15, St Helen’s, Swansea