The Toyota Cheetahs, Suzuki Griquas, and Airlink Pumas have shifted their focus to the global stage as the international away leg of the expanded 2026 Toyota Challenge kicks off in Tbilisi, Georgia.
After concluding their domestic Carling Currie Cup campaigns, the three South African provincial franchises travelled across borders to contest the newly minted Tbilisi Cup.
The international phase gets underway today, Thursday, 24 September, with an action-packed double-header at the Avchala Rugby Stadium.
The Airlink Pumas take the field first against Spanish outfit the Iberians at 14:00 SAST. Pumas management has handed a potential debut to former Tuks prop Barnard Nortjé, who starts from the bench.
Immediately following that match at 17:00 South African time, the Toyota Cheetahs will face a Lusitanos side from Portugal. The Cheetahs previously defeated this Portuguese outfit 54-24 during the June leg of the competition in Bloemfontein.
Suzuki Griquas face Black Lion at 20:00 in the final match at the Avchala Rugby Stadium, Tbilisi.
Teams:
Airlink Pumas: 15 Jay-Cee Nel, 14 Alfondso Isaacs, 13 Banie Britz, 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Tino Swanepoel, 10 Clinton Swart, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 7 Willie Engelbrecht (c), 6 André Fouché, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 Stephan Krugel, 3 Bryan le Roux, 2 Gustav du Rand, 1 Jaco du Toit. Replacements: 16 Jan-Henning Campher, 17 Stephan de Jager, 18 Barnard Nortjé, 19 André Goedhals, 20 De Wet Marais, 21 Christiaan van der Westhuizen, 22 Bradley Giddy, 23 Qamani Kota.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Shuan Ray, 14 Litha Nkula, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Duncan Basson, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 10 Tiaan Swanepoel, 9 Jandre Nel, 8 Sisonke Vumazonke, 7 Arno van der Merwe, 6 Siyemukela Ndlovu, 5 Juan Venter, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Tebogo Nkosi. Replacements: 16 Juandre Schoeman, 17 Matome Manyama, 18 Ben Pitout, 19 Mihlali Mosi, 20 Siya Ningiza, 21 Erich Visser, 22 Ethan Wentzel, 23 Daniel Maartens.
Suzuki Griquas: 15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Connor Mahoney, 13 Tom Nel, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Sako Makata, 10 Liam Koen, 9 Caleb Abrahams, 8 Dillon Smith, 7 Carel van der Merwe, 6 Phumzile Magondwana, 5 Derik Pretorius (c), 4 Lungi Mbiko, 3 Johan Louw, 2 Janus Venter, 1 Corne Lavagna. Replacements: 16 Willem van der Heever, 17 Ebune Ngundue, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Marco de Witt, 20 Ntsika Fisanti, 21 Jack Hart, 22 Danrich Visagie, 23 Luke Burger.