5 October 2026
Ospreys Rugby and the Toyota Cheetahs have announced that St Helen’s will host the Toyota Cheetahs’ two "home" fixtures for their upcoming 2026/27 EPCR Challenge Cup campaign. The South African side will make the newly redeveloped Swansea venue their official European home for the pool stages.
The Toyota Cheetahs will first take on the Dragons on Sunday, 13 December 2026 at 13:00, before returning to St Helen’s to face USAP on Sunday, 17 January 2027 at 15:15.
The announcement marks another positive development in the growing relationship between the Ospreys and the Toyota Cheetahs, while also bringing additional high-quality European matches to the redeveloped stadium.
In recent seasons, the clubs have collaborated closely on player-development opportunities, allowing talent from both hemispheres to experience different rugby environments and playing styles.
Beyond the matchdays, both clubs will explore opportunities for the Ospreys and Toyota Cheetahs squads to hold joint training sessions and workshops in Swansea, allowing players and coaching staff to share tactical ideas, experiences, and high-performance perspectives.
Richard Lancaster, Ospreys Managing Director, said “The Ospreys are grateful to the WRU for its permission to play these matches at St Helen's. We’re really excited to welcome the Toyota Cheetahs for these two EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures.”
“There is already a strong relationship between the two clubs, and this is another really positive step in developing that further. For us, it also demonstrates the opportunities that St Helen’s can create. Having our own venue gives us the ability to bring additional high-quality rugby and events to Swansea.”
MJ Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Toyota Cheetahs, said, "We are extremely grateful to the Ospreys and the Welsh Rugby Union for their support in making this opportunity possible. We have built some wonderful relationships within European rugby, especially with Rugby Nederland and Zebre Parma in Italy. Now we have this wonderful opportunity to work with the Ospreys in Swansea, and we are very excited.”
“We aim to make St Helen's a home away from home for the Toyota Cheetahs and, importantly, for our supporters abroad. We want to create a memorable matchday experience where Cheetahs supporters can come together, enjoy great rugby and a nice braai, and feel part of the Toyota Cheetahs family."
Frans Steyn, Director of Rugby, Toyota Cheetahs, said, "It's great to be welcomed so warmly by our friends in rugby, the Ospreys. St Helen's has a proud history, and we're looking forward to playing there, experiencing the newly redeveloped stadium, and making it our home in Europe. Most importantly, we're looking forward to getting out there and playing some good Cheetah rugby."
