The Toyota Cheetahs are in England for the opening round of the 2025/26 EPCR Challenge Cup, where they will face the Exeter Chiefs in the last match of the weekend on Sunday, 7 December. The action at Sandy Park in Exeter kicks off at 19:30 SA time and will be the Toyota Cheetahs' first against an English club in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Last season, the Toyota Cheetahs boasted the best lineout success rate in the competition at 93.2%, and will look to this facet again as an attacking weapon. However, their defence will have to be spot on against Exeter, who converted 59% of their line breaks into tries, placing them first in the Investec Champions Cup last season. The Chiefs will be looking to carry over the momentum from their impressive Gallagher PREM form.
After reaching the playoffs in the first two seasons, the team from the Free State missed out last year and will be keen to turn that around.
Coach Frans Steyn is backing his team. "To be realistic, we are in a tough pool and will face strong opponents. We are confident. We have a good plan. The players are healthy, and we've got a good squad. This is an opportunity to show the quality of our players."
"A rugby ball can bounce to any side, and hopefully it will bounce our way this season."
Captain Chucky van der Westhuizen is excited to face a former Toyota Cheetah player, Joseph Dweba. "He is a quality player and Springbok, and for me it is always nice to measure yourself against some of the best players in the world. It is exciting for the boys to play in the EPCR Challenge Cup, to be on tour, and to play against a quality side that is second in the Premiership at the moment."
Coach Frans Steyn announced his team for the encounter:
- Cameron Dawson
- Louis van der Westhuizen (c)
- Aranos Coetzee
- Carl Wegner
- Victor Sekekete
- Pierre Uys
- Juan Venter
- Gideon van der Merwe
- Marco Jansen van Vuren
- Jaco van der Walt
- Prince Nkabinde
- Zander du Plessis
- De-an Ackermann
- Munier Hartzenberg
- Michael Annies
- Vernon Paulo
- Tielman Nieuwoudt
- Frankie Dos Reis
- Sisonke Vumazonke
- Neels Volschenk
- Daniel Maarten
- Jandré Nel
- Cohen Jasper