17 October 2026
The Toyota Cheetahs cross paths with French heavyweights Aviron Bayonnais this Sunday at the intimidating Stade Jean Dauger. Head coach Frans Steyn launches his team into the 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup, looking to replicate last season's relentless ruck speed. The Bloemfontein side targets a high-tempo assault in France to secure an early footprint in Pool 1.
Steyn has injected fresh firepower into the matchday squad by naming debutant flanker Carl Els, who joins following a standout Currie Cup stint with the Griquas. The spotlight also falls heavily on hard-hitting hooker Louis van der Westhuizen, who spearheaded the team’s carries and tackles in the previous European campaign.
"We have a great squad, and now we need to perform," Steyn noted when discussing the tactical blueprint. "It’s about focusing on what we do, sticking to our game plan and executing better than the opposition."
Captain Neels Volschenk leads a formidable pack alongside stalwarts Carl Wegner and Victor Sekekete, while veteran scrumhalf Faf de Klerk anchors the backline orchestration. Fullback Henry Immelman returns to familiar territory to provide vital experience against a hostile French crowd.
"Bayonne have an incredible squad, with players who have competed at the highest level," Volschenk warned ahead of the clash. "Matching that standard will be a real test for us, but it’s one we’re looking forward to."
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Henry Immelman, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Tiaan Swanepoel, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Carl Els, 7 Simon Miller, 6 Neels Volschenk (c), 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Matome Manyama. Replacements: 16 Jaundré Schoeman, 17 Tebogo Nkosi, 18 Ben Pitout, 19 Aidon Davis, 20 Siya Ningiza, 21 Erich Visser, 22 Cohen Jasper, 23 Marco Jansen van Vuren.