Toyota Cheetahs Could Surprise Against Toulon

 

The Toyota Cheetahs face a challenging task as they line up against Toulon at Stade Felix Mayol in France on Saturday at 13:30 (SA Time) where they will look to end the hosts’ four-match winning streak in the competition.

Toulon and the Scarlets are the only two sides that completed the pool stages unbeaten, while the Toyota Cheetahs secured their place in their playoff stages after winning two of their four matches.

That said, the Free Staters will draw confidence from the fact that one of their victories was away in Parma, while they fell short by a narrow three points against the Scarlets in Llanelli to add to a victory at home – and this will certainly be in the back of Toulon’s minds going into the clash.

Toulon hold a better track record on attack and defence this season and will enter the match as favourites on paper, but the Toyota Cheetahs have proven that they can deliver on the road, which is sure to inspire them.

Toyota Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie said “The three weeks of Currie Cup were important to give all the players game time and to select the right players for this match.” 

“We’ll definitely miss a valuable player and kicker like Frans Steyn. Still, we’ve planned accordingly, and the responsible players have done it before and have the confidence to do what is required.”

This past weekend, Frans Steyn sustained a knee injury in the Currie Cup match against the Vodacom Bulls.

“We are used to playing away (in EPCR Challenge Cup) and adapting to the conditions quickly. It is still cold here, but the forecast for Saturday is for no rain, but strong winds are expected. We’ll have to adapt and adjust quickly on Saturday.

“Toulon has a quality team, and it will be a big ask and much tougher than the previous rounds. We expect to play against their best side. We’ve braced ourselves for that and have to play confidently and believe in what we do.”

Teams:

Toulon: 15. Thomas Salles, 14. Jiuta Naqoli Wainiqolo, 13. Jérémy Sinzelle, 12. Waisea Vuidravuwalu, 11. Aymeric Luc, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Benoit Paillaugue, 8. Sergio Parisse (c ), 7. Facundo Isa, 6. Jules Coulon, 5. Adrien Warion, 4. Swan Rebbadj, 3. Kieran Brookes, 2. Teddy Baubigny, 1. Bruce Devaux. Replacements: 16. Christopher Tolofua, 17. Dany Priso, 18. Beka Gigashvili, 19. Matthias Halagahu, 20. Mathieu Bastareaud, 21. Jules Danglot, 22. Maëlan Rabut, 23. Ihaia West

Toyota Cheetahs: 15. Tapiwa Mafura, 14. Daniel Kasende, 13. David Brits, 12. Robert Ebersohn, 11. Munier Hartzenberg, 10. Reinhardt Fortuin, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Jeandré Rudolph, 7. Oupa Mohoje, 6. Gideon van der Merwe, 5. Victor Sekekete (c), 4. Rynier Bernardo, 3. Hencus van Wyk, 2. Marnus van der Merwe, 1. Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16. Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17. Alulutho Tshakweni, 18. Conraad van Vuuren Nqobisizwe Mxoli, 19. Mzwanele Zito, 20. Siba Qoma, 21. Daniel Maartens, 22. Rewan Kruger, 23. Cohen Jasper.