The Toyota Cheetahs will take on Oyonnax in France on Saturday in the final round of the EPCR Challenge Cup at 17:15 (S Time), needing two points to secure their place in the Round of 16.
The Toyota Cheetahs will be desperate to bounce back from their first defeat in the tournament last week. They will take some comfort from the fact that two of the pool contenders, Section Paloise and Zebre Parma, who are both on eight log points, will face one another this weekend, which should strengthen the Free Staters’ chances of advancing to the playoffs.
However, a victory will be first prize to cement a spot in the round of 16 and ensure that they build winning momentum as the playoffs draw nearer.
They will, however, be wary of the fact that Oyonnax will be desperate to register their first win in the EPCR Challenge Cup this season, especially in front of their home crowd and build on their last positive result on their home patch against Section Paloise in December.
After suffering a defeat against PAU in Amsterdam, the Toyota Cheetahs travelled to France this week for Round 4 of the EPCR Challenge Cup.
“We made it more difficult for ourselves to qualify for the Round of 16 by losing last week’s game against Pau.” Said Coach Toyota Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie.
“This week wasn’t easy as we couldn’t train until Thursday due to weather conditions and travelling. Still, the improvement from last week’s sessions was quite noticeable, and I think we will see the same on Saturday.”
The team for Saturday has been announced with a couple of changes:
Marnus van der Merwe will start with Louis van der Westhuizen providing cover on the bench. Daniel Kasende wears the number 14 jersey, and Munier Hartzenberg moves to the left wing, replacing the injured Cohen Jasper (ankle). Oupa Mohoje is new on the bench, and Abner van Reenen steps in for Ali Mgijima (HIA protocol).
“Ali (Mgijima) didn’t pass the head injury protocol, so he had to return home. Losing Ali is a big blow. He played well in all the games when he came on as a sub, especially last weekend against Pau.” Abner van Reenen joined the team on Thursday in France.
Teams:
Oyonnax Rugby: 15 Maxime Salles, 14 Daniel Ikpefan, 13 Leo Treilles, 12 Lucas Mensa, 11 Joe Ravouvou, 10 Domingo Miotti, 9 Charlie Cassang (c), 8 Loic Godener, 7 Hugo Hermet, 6 Filimo Taofifenua, 5 Hugo Fabregue, 4 Ewan Johnson, 3 Irakli Mirtskhulava, 2 Manu Leiataua, 1 Rory Sutherland. Replacements: 16 Julien Ratajczak, 17 Adrien Bordenave, 18 Thibault Berthaud, 19 Steve Mafi, 20 Ilan El Khattabi, 21 Jules Soulan, 22 Souleymane Coulibaly, 23 David Odiase.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Daniel Kasende, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 George Lourens, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Oupa Mohoje, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 Abner van Reenen.
