Cheetahs team to play the Pumas
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The Toyota Cheetahs travel to Nelspruit for the final round of the Carling Currie Cup regular season, where they will face the Airlink Pumas at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, 29 August. Kick-off is at 14:00, with the match live on SuperSport.
The match will be a special occasion for two Toyota Cheetahs players, with captain Neels Volschenk and Marco Jansen van Vuren both set to make their 50th appearances for the team.
The Toyota Cheetahs and Griquas have already secured their places in the semi-finals and occupy the top two positions on the league table heading into the crucial final round.
Five teams remain in contention for the two remaining playoff places, with the Airlink Pumas currently best positioned on 17 points. Sanlam Boland Kavaliers and DHL Stormers XXIII are both on 16 points, followed by the Fidelity ADT Lions on 15 and Hollywoodbets Sharks XV on 13. The Vodacom Bulls XV, on five points, are out of contention.
The Pumas know that a victory over the Toyota Cheetahs at Mbombela Stadium will secure their place in the semi-finals. Even a losing bonus point could prove enough, depending on results elsewhere, but the Nelspruit side will be determined to avoid leaving their playoff hopes in the hands of other teams, particularly with Boland and the Stormers XXIII only one point behind them.
For the Toyota Cheetahs, the final round offers a chance to build momentum heading into the semi-finals and potentially finish at the top of the table, securing home-ground advantage for the final.
“It is nice to be in a position where we know that we have a home semi-final, but there is still the possibility of finishing at the top and having the opportunity to host a home final,” said Toyota Cheetahs head coach Frans Steyn.
“We are in control of our own destiny. How we show up and how we play this weekend will depend on ourselves.
“The Pumas are a very physical team. They have a good kicking game and some quality players. When they get going, they also have a strong running game. We will have to match that in Nelspruit.”
For captain Neels Volschenk, the match will carry extra significance as he celebrates his 50th appearance for the Toyota Cheetahs.
“The nice thing is to play in a pack that is moving forward. When your pack is going forward, your chances of winning the game are much greater than losing it,” said Volschenk.
Volschenk will lead the team onto the field for his 50th appearance, while Jansen van Vuren will also reach the milestone when he comes off the bench.
With the semi-finals already secured, the Toyota Cheetahs will look to finish the regular season strongly, maintain their momentum, and deliver a performance that sets the tone for the playoffs.
Toyota Cheetahs
- Dux Manyama
- Stefan Venter
- Aranos Coetzee
- Arno van der Merwe
- Carl Wegner
- Sisonke Vumazonke
- Pierre Uys
- Neels Volschenk (C) 50th cap
- Faf de Klerk
- Tiaan Swanepoel
- Prince Nkabinde
- Jooste Nel
- Carel-Jan Coetzee
- Michael Annies
- Clayton Blommetjies
Replacements
- Frankie Dos Reis
- Tielman Niewoudt
- John-Kelly Okonkwo
- Victor Sekekete
- Simon Miller
- Daniel Maartens
- Cohen Jasper
- Marco Jansen van Vuren (50th cap)
Match Officials
The referee for the match is Hanru van Rooyen. He will be assisted by Jonathan Lottering and Paul Mente. The TMO is Archie Moko.
Players unavailable due to injury
Vice Hofmeyr (shoulders), Ntokozo Makhaza (knee), Louis van der Westhuizen (ankle), Gideon van der Merwe (lower leg), Munier Hartzenberg (knee), Henry Immelman (knee), Ben Pitout (shoulder), Ethan Wentzel (shoulder), Juan Venter, Siya Ningiza (lower leg), Jaco van der Walt (sick), Zander du Plessis (hamstring) and Juan Smal (ankle).
Marco Janse van Rensburg (Red card – week 2 of 2)
NEXT MATCH: Carling Currie Cup Semi-final - Toyota Cheetahs vs ?
