The Toyota Cheetahs host the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV today, Friday, 24 July 2026, in a blockbuster Round 2 Carling Currie Cup encounter. Kick-off is at 17:00 SAST at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Both powerhouses occupy the top spots on the log after grinding out narrow, two-point bonus-point victories in the opening week. The Cheetahs edged the Fidelity ADT Lions 29-27, while the Sharks XV held off a fierce fightback from the Airlink Pumas to win 26-24.
While the Cheetahs hold the early top spot courtesy of a superior points difference, historical stats favour the visitors. Durban’s outfit has won three of the last five meetings between the sides, though the Cheetahs took the most recent honours with a gritty 7-5 victory in Durban last August.
The Cheetahs are traditionally formidable in Bloemfontein, having secured victories in four of their last five Currie Cup home fixtures.
The big talking point in Bloemfontein is the return of Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, who again starts in the No 9 jersey alongside playmaker Jaco van der Walt in a heavily reshuffled squad managed by Frans Steyn.
It is also a momentous afternoon for veteran fullback Clayton Blommetjies, who runs out for his 150th official appearance for the Free State franchise.
In stark contrast, Sharks XV head coach Mike Vowles has opted for maximum continuity, naming just a single injury-enforced change to his starting fifteen.
Set-piece dominance will be critical. The Sharks XV struggled heavily under scrum pressure against the Pumas, an area the powerful Cheetahs pack will undoubtedly target. Also keep a close eye on Sharks outside back Lyle Matthews. The debutant turned heads last week by netting a stunning first-half hat-trick.
Teams:
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Neels Volschenk (captain), 7 Juan Venter, 6 Ramon Uys, 5 Curtley Thomas, 4 Victor Sekekete, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Tielman Niewoudt. Replacements: 16 Juan Smal, 17 Tebogo Nkosi, 18 Ben Pitoit, 19 Simon Muller, 20 Sisonke Vumazonke, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Marco Janse van Vuren, 23 Henry Immelman
Hollywoodbets Sharks XV: 15 Chijindu Okonta, 14 Christie Grobbelaar, 13 Marnus Potgieter, 12 Janco Purchase, 11 Lyle Matthews, 10 Tim Swiel, 9 Ross Braude, 8 Thomas Dyer (captain), 7 Danilo Botha, 6 Willem van den Hever, 5 Deon Slabbert, 4 Johan Momsen, 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16 Bryce Calvert, 17 Jaco du Toit, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Sipho Nonyalela, 20 Hanu Pieterse, 21 Ceano Everson, 22 Chris Horak, 23 Matthew Fortuin.