The Toyota Cheetahs will regroup at the start of 2025 knowing they have a decent shot at a playoff spot in the EPCR Challenge Cup, but will have to do it without one of their top stars.
Gideon van der Merwe, the lively flanker, underwent ankle surgery after the loss against Cardiff in round two of the Challenge Cup, and will play no further part in the competition, meaning the team needs to find a replacement for him.
There is also no word on the shoulder injury for former Springbok Oupa Mohoje, who also went off against Cardiff while the Cheetahs did announce in the Christmas season that they will also lose scrumhalf Ruben de Haas to an American club on loan from February 1.
That means the next two games will be key to use De Haas’ talents, before he moves onto playing in his adopted country, and if the Cheetahs can use their second “home” game in Amsterdam on Sunday to gain a victory, they could repeat their Top 16 appearance of last season as well.
Things are happening in Bloemfontein, with the rumour mill in overdrive about the arrival of former coach Rory Duncan as CEO to assist Director of Rugby Frans Steyn from the end of January, and the team’s recent agreement with the Bulls to swap young players could see them being able to strengthen their squad even more in the coming months.
But for now the focus is on Zebre Parma this Sunday, with the Italian side up for sale in the URC and having lost both its games in the Challenge Cup, the Cheetahs could have an ideal opportunity to grab a win here, to bolster their campaign.
After holding Perpignan to a draw and then disappointing in the loss against Cardiff, the Cheetahs have had a month to prepare for this game, and will be hoping the loss of Van der Merwe can be negated and their plans come to fruition this weekend.