The Toyota Cheetahs arrived in Amsterdam on Monday for Round 2 of the EPCR Challenge Cup against Stade Franҫais Paris. This will be the first encounter between the two teams in any competition, and the action at the NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam, home ground of the Toyota Cheetahs in Europe, kicks off at 15:00 (SA time).
One of the EPCR's conditions for the Toyota Cheetahs' participation in the EPCR Challenge Cup is that the team is based in Europe and will therefore play the Round 2 and 3 home games at the NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam. Free State Rugby is grateful to Rugby Nederland for sharing their home ground with another team in orange.
The Toyota Cheetahs will look to build on their second-half showing against the Exeter Chiefs last week, which limited the English side to only one try after the break despite suffering a defeat, when they line up against Stade Francais.
The Free Staters will have to be much more effective on defence and use their chances on attack to keep alive their hopes of securing a victory against the French outfit, who registered a convincing win against Cardiff last week, and who are currently in fourth place on the Top 14 table after winning six of their 11 matches this season.
Coach Frans Steyn said: "Stade Franҫais will definitely be an imposing force this weekend, but I'm confident in our team. We adapted well to the game's pace in the second half against Exeter. We know what is expected of us, what the pace is going to be, and hopefully we can put up a good performance this weekend."
Frans Steyn announced his team for the encounter, with changes from Sunday's match against the Exeter Chiefs. In the starting line-up, Juan Venter replaces Victor Sekekete, who returned home due to a facial fracture and concussion. Daniel Maartens will play in the number 6 jersey, and Pierre Uys moves to number 7.
George Lourens joined the squad in Amsterdam to replace Jaco van der Walt (hamstring), and De-an Ackermann moves to 12 to replace Zander du Plessis (groin). Van der Walt and Du Plessis (groin) returned to South Africa as a precaution to ensure they're fully fit for the EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures in January. Munier Hartzenberg will wear the number 13 jersey, and Cohen Jasper is the right wing.
Toyota Cheetahs:
- Cameron Dawson
- Louis van der Westhuizen (c)
- Aranos Coetzee
- Carl Wegner
- Juan Venter
- Daniel Maartens
- Pierre Uys
- Gideon van der Merwe
- Marco Jansen van Vuren
- George Lourens
- Prince Nkabinde
- De-an Ackermann
- Munier Hartzenberg
- Cohen Jasper
- Michael Annies
Replacements:
16. Vernon Paulo
17. Matome Manyama
18. Frankie Dos Reis
19. Curtley Thomas
20. Sisonke Vumazonke
21. Neels Volschenk
22. Jandré Nel
23. Clayton Blommetjies