The third Toyota Challenge match takes place today in the Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein at 14h00 when the Toyota Cheetahs host the Cell C Sharks. The Cheetahs have already played two matches in the competition, beating Diables 99-15 and narrowly going down to Western Province 31-30.
Hawies Fourie, head coach of the Toyota Cheetahs made no secret that apart from using this match to prepare for the upcoming Currie Cup competition the Cheetahs will use this match to show that they are capable to compete against the four South Africa URC teams.
Fourie announced basically the same squad that lost to a DHL Western Province XV in the past minutes of that game a week ago.
“We expect the Sharks to be at full force on Saturday. They will be preparing for their next URC match next weekend.” Said, coach Hawies Fourie.
From our side, we have planned on how we want to play against the Sharks. We want to improve on our performance against Western Province and for us, it is just a big challenge to show that we are still up there with the four URC teams and that we can be competitive. That’s important to us. On the other hand, the match serves as preparation for the Currie Cup. Working on the things that didn’t go well in the previous two games trying to improve with every game so we can hit the ground running when the Currie Cup kicks off in the middle of January.
Head coach Sean Everitt has mixed it up by naming three new players to the Cell C Sharks alongside many familiar faces and a few of the younger members of the squad getting a run during this extended break from the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
With URC action returning next weekend, this is the ideal opportunity to keep squad depth active and game-ready.
Samoan international flank OJ Noa will start this match alongside fellow Samoan Ben Tapuia who has represented Australia, with replacement prop, 22 year old Dian Bleuler, newly signed from Western Province. The SA Under 20 player made his senior debut this year and will add depth to the Cell C Sharks’ front row.
Ben Tapuia is well known in Australian circles, spending six years with the Reds and a further season with the Western Force during which time he made seven appearances for the Wallabies before playing in the UK at Bath Rugby and Harlequins.
OJ Noa has two Test caps to his name and will no doubt look to impose his 1.94m tall and 112kg frame on the opposition.
There is also good news on the return of a Cell C Sharks favourite in Aphelele Fassi. The Springbok has been released from national duty and Everitt has named him in the matchday 23.
Teams
Cheetahs: 15. Cohen Jasper, 14. Daniel Kasende, 13. David Britz, 12. Robbert Ebersohn, 11. Enver Brandt, 10. Siyabonga Masuku, 9. Tian Meyer, 8. Aidon Davis (c), 7. Jeandré Labuschagne, 6. Gideon van der Merwe, 5. Rynier Bernardo, 4. Victor Sekekete, 3. Jacobus van Vuuren, 2. Marnus van der Merwe, 1. Allulutho Tshakweni. Replacements: 16. Wilmar Arnoldi, 17. Cameron Dawson, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Thembelani Bholi, 20. Teboho Mohoje/Lohan Potgieter, 21. Zinedine Booysen, 22. Brandon Thomson, 23. Evardi Boshoff.
Sharks: 15. Rynhardt Jonker, 14. Werner Kok, 13. Marnus Potgieter, 12. Ben Tapuai, 11. Anthony Volmink, 10. Boeta Chamberlain, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Henco Venter (c), 7. Olajuwon Noa, 6. James Venter, 5. Hyron Andrews, 4. Le Roux Roets, 3. Khutha Mchunu, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 1. Khwezi Mona. Replacements: 16. Dan Jooste, 17. Dian Bleuler, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Reniel Hugo, 20. Phepsi Buthelezi, 21. Sanele Nohamba, 22. Jeremy Ward, 23. Aphelele Fassi.