The Toyota Cheetahs will host the Suzuki Griquas on Friday at 17:00 (SA Time) in one of their most important Carling Currie Cup games of the season.
Coach Frans Steyn made four changes to the starting line-up with Cameron Dawson and Hencus van Wyk switching places. John-Kelly Okonkwo will be making his debut for the Toyota Cheetahs with Frankie Dos Reis on reserve. Carel-Jan Coetzee moves to the number 12 centre with Marco Janse van Vuren in the number 13 jersey. Ali Mgijima will provide cover on the bench. Pierre-Raymond Uys return to play and will be on the reserve.
Toyota Cheetahs captain and lock, Victor Sekekete, is set to play his 100th game on Friday. Victor joined the Toyota Cheetahs in 2020 from Griquas and has played 99 matches for the Bloemfontein side since then.
Sekekete shares his gratitude for this milestone with the Toyota Cheetahs. "I feel blessed and honoured to have the privilege to be playing my 100th for the Toyota Cheetahs.
"It's a dream come true. If you walk into the change rooms and see the names of the legends you've played here before, it's very inspiring. It has been a motivation for me. I'm filled with gratitude as I think of the journey I've come from. I can't be happier. I'm very grateful that I have not struggled with many injuries. My family supports me a lot."
Tiaan Liebenberg, Toyota Cheetahs Forwards Coach, said: "Games between the Cheetahs and Griquas have always been massive. The Griquas are definitely the in-form team at the moment. They play an unbelievable brand of rugby, but come Friday afternoon, we've got a challenge and we have to man up on it. They have a dominant pack and are well-coached; when they take to the pitch, you can see that they are ready to play."
Toyota Cheetahs
- Hencus van Wyk
- Marko Jansen van Rensburg
- John-Kelly Okonkwo
- Juan Venter
- Victor Sekekete (c)
- Gideon van der Merwe
- Mihlali Mosi
- Neels Volschenk
- Rewan Kruger
- Franco Smith
- Cohen Jasper
- Carel-Jan Coetzee
- Marco Janse van Vuren
- Prince Nkabinde
- Clayton Blommetjies
Replacements
16. Vernon Paulo
17. Cameron Dawson
18. Frankie Dos Reis
19. Pierre-Raymond Uys
20. Daniel Maartens
21. Jandré Nel
22. Ali Mgijima
23. Michael Annies