In the second round of the 2023 Currie Cup competition, the Toyota Cheetahs are facing the Novavit Griffons. The action at the Down Touch Investments Stadium in Welkom kicks off at 14:00 this Sunday. The game will be live on SuperSport.

Last weekend, Ruan Pienaar showed that “age it but a number” when he steered the Toyota Cheetahs to a comfortable 42-19 win over the men from Kimberley in the Diamond City – a venue where visiting teams seldom have it easy.

Expect the vastly experienced Pienaar to once more be the driving force behind the Free Staters’ onslaught when they travel north to take on the NovaVit Griffons in Sunday’s early-afternoon clash.

The Welkom-based outfit faded after a lively opening spell against the Cell C Sharks last weekend in Durban, and the purple jerseys will have to find a counter for talisman Pienaar if they want to have any chance of a home upset.

“The Griffons has a physical team and a good kicking game. The most important thing will be to be mentally switched on,” said Coach Hawies Fourie. “We want to build on last week. We haven’t played our best rugby yet. So there’s more to come, and we want to improve in every game we play. There’s a lot of room for improvement, especially on attack.”

Coach Hawies Fourie announced his team for the encounter.

 Toyota Cheetahs

15. Tapiwa Mafura

14. Daniel Kasende

13. Evardi Boshoff

12. Frans Steyn

11. Munier Hartzenberg

10. Reinhardt Fortuin

9. Ruan Pienaar

8. Andisa Ntsila

7. Friedle Olivier

6. Gideon van der Merwe

5. Victor Sekekete (Captain)

4. Mzwanele Zito

3. Coenraad Janse van Vuuren

2. Marko Janse van Rensburg

1. Schalk Ferreira

16. Louis van der Westhuizen

17. Alulutho Tshakweni

18. Hencus van Wyk

19. Rynier Bernardo

20. Daniel Maartens

21. Rewan Kruger

22. Robert Ebersohn

23. Cohen Jasper

The referee for the match is Paul Mente.

Players not available: The following players are not eligible for team selection due to injury: Siya Masuku (elbow), Enver Brandt (knee), Aranos Coetzee (calf), Jean Droste (knee), George Cronje (knee), David Brits (shoulder), Marne Coetzee (neck), George Lourens (ankle).

Cell C Sharks u.20 vs Toyota Cheetahs u.20

On Saturday, 18 March 2023, the Toyota Cheetahs will face Cell C Sharks u.20 at Kings Park B, Durban. Kick-off is at 13:00.

This upcoming game becomes their fifth match after losing to DHL Western Province u.20 19-34 on Saturday at the Toyota Stadium.

The Toyota Cheetahs u.20 Head Coach, Henley Du Plessis, announced his team for the upcoming SA Rugby Under-20 Cup game against Cell C Sharks u.20.

Toyota Cheetahs u.20: Shaun Ray Jr, Marcel De Waal, Jacquin Jacobus, Chad Oppelt (C), Liyabona Maplanga, Tiaan Kriek, Murray Ferreira, Danston Cloete, Dian van der Watt, Logan Fortuin, Katlego Lebakeng, HJ De Beer, Juandre Le Roux, Jaco Bezuidenhout (V-C), Johan Durr.

Replacements: Jan Botes, Ayanda Ncokazi, Cassie Botes, Zander van der Berg, Wela Takata, AJ Van Vuuren, Raydon Swartbooi, Dillon Oppelt, Liam Prinsloo, Liam De Wet.