On Friday, 31 March, the Toyota Cheetahs face the Pumas in their fourth Currie Cup match in Toyota Stadium at 17:05 (SA Time).
The Toyota Cheetahs are fielding two teams this weekend. Coach Hawies Fourie is with one side in France for the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 match against Toulon on Saturday, and Henley du Plessis is the head coach for the Toyota Cheetah side facing the Pumas on Friday in Bloemfontein. MJ Smith is the assistant coach.
George Cronje returns from injury and will captain the side. George was the captain of the SA u.20 team in 2021. Jean Droste and George Lourens also return from injury. An interesting inclusion on the bench is Paul (Tier) Schoeman, who played for the Toyota Cheetahs from 2016-2018 (57 caps). A number of players will make their Currie Cup and Toyota Cheetah debuts on Friday.
Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Andell Loubser, 14. Siba Xamlashe, 13. Marcell Muller, 12. Evardi Boshoff, 11. Xolisa Guma (Villagers RFC), 10. George Lourens, 9. Branden De Kock, 8. Andisa Ntsila, 7. George Cronje (c), 6. Roelof Smit, 5. Jean Droste, 4. Ruan Janse van Rensburg (Leopards), 3. Laurence Victor, 2. Janus Venter, 1. Wayrin Losper (Boland Cavaliers). Replacements: 16. Jacques Goosen (Villagers RFC), 17. Kevin Stevens, 18. Boeta Loubser (Villagers RFC), 19. Johnre Stopforth (UFS Shimlas), 20. Tier Schoeman (Honda Heat), 21. Dian Koen (Villagers RFC), 22. Zinedine Booysen, 23. Thoubaan Gabriels (Villagers RFC).
Players not available: The following players are not eligible for team selection due to injury: Siya Masuku (elbow), Enver Brandt (knee), Aranos Coetzee (calf), Marne Coetzee (neck), Friedle Olivier (ankle), Frans Steyn (knee).
