In the Toyota Cheetahs’ last SA Cup match of the season, the team will face their neighbours, the Suzuki Griquas, on Friday, 17 May, at Shimla Park on the campus of the University of the Free State. The game will be live on SuperSport Rugby.
Coach Izak van der Westhuizen announced his team for the encounter on Thursday.
Alulutho Tshakweni will run onto the field in his 50th and last match for the Toyota Cheetahs. Together with him, three other teammates, Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Tapiwa Mafura (Lions) and Sibabala Qoma (Lions), will be saying goodbye to the orange jersey on Friday.
A true legend of South African rugby, Ruan Pienaar, will hang up his boots on Friday evening. He will be leading the team in his 85th match for the Toyota Cheetahs.
“It’s a sad day. I think South Africa has had great rugby players over the years, and I think as far as Ruan is concerned, the credit he deserves has not always come his way.” Said the Toyota Cheetahs’ Director of Rugby, Frans Steyn.
“My rugby career has gone full circle, and finishing where it all began in Bloemfontein and in front of family and friends is special.” Said Ruan Pienaar.
“To come back at the age of 35 and be part of two Currie Cup titles was special. I’m still a huge fan of the Currie Cup series and hope it can continue for another 100 years. It’s a competition with so much history. So many big names in South African rugby have been privileged to lift the cup and play in the series. For me, it still holds a special place on the local rugby calendar.”
Ruan took the first steps in his coaching career when he officially joined the Free State U21 and Toyota Academy coaching staff as the new backline and attack coach at the beginning of May.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Tapiwa Mafura, 14. Daniel Kasende, 13. Munier Hartzenberg, 12. Jooste Nel, 11. Litha Nkula, 10. George Lourens, 9. Ruan Pienaar (C ), 8. Jeandré Rudolph, 7. Sibabalo Qoma, 6.Gideon van der Merwe, 5. Oupa Mohoje, 5. Pierre-Raymond Uys, 4.Pierre Uys, 3. Aranos Coetzee, 2. Marnus van der Merwe, 1. Alulutho Tshakweni. Replacements: 16. Louis van der Westhuizen, 17. Cameron Dawson, 18. Justin Forwood, 19. Sisonke Vumazonke, 20. Will Hickey, 21. Neels Volschenk, 22. Marco Janse van Vuren, 23. Rewan Kruger.
