Hooker Louis van der Westhuizen will run on for his 50th cap for the Toyota Cheetahs as they face Clermont Auverge in their EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 match in France on Saturday.
💥Team Announcement💥
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) April 5, 2024
🏆EPCR - Round of 16@ASMOfficiel vs Toyota Cheetahs
📅Saturday, 6 April 2024
⏲️13:30 (SA Time)
🏟️Stade Marcel Michelin, Clermont
🔗: https://t.co/uo1vCEsEBv
Live on @SuperSportTV @ToyotaSA pic.twitter.com/XVAx5I8Nng
Veteran Ruan Pienaar is the name that stands out as the Cheetahs look to defy expectations after the Cheetahs secured a spot in the knockout stage despite narrowly missing out on home advantage.
They finished third in Pool 1, earning a place alongside other qualified teams.
Key victories include a home win against the Hollywoodbets Sharks.
Coach Izak van der Westhuizen was confident ahead of the match.
"I think the guys know what is expected of them and the conditions. Playing is always difficult because you never know which side will arrive for the game. I think it helps a lot to have that experience within the group,” he said.
Captain Victor Sekekete said there is a lot of hunger in the side.
"From the team’s side, we are more eager, especially because we've been there, and last year's defeat to Toulon left a bitter taste in our mouths.
"There is more hunger, and what is important to us is the game management and to realise that when you're playing over there, anything can happen on the day. The most important thing is to ensure we control what we can control."
Toyota Cheetahs: Tapiwa Mafura, Daniel Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Reinhardt Fortuin, Munier Hartzenberg; George Lourens, Ruan Pienaar, Jeandre Rudolph, Friedle Olivier, Gideon van der Merwe, Victor Sekekete (captain), Rynier Bernardo, Aranos Coetzee, Marnus van der Merwe, Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: Louis van der Westhuizen, Alulutho Tshakweni, Hencus van Wyk, Carl Wegner, Daniel Maartens, Oupa Mohoje, Rewan Kruger, Abner van Reenen.
💥UPCOMING MATCH💥
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) April 2, 2024
🏆EPCR: Round of 16
ASM Auvergne Clermont vs Toyota Cheetahs
📅Saturday, 06 April 2024
⏲️13:30 (SA Time)
🏟️Stade Marcel Michelin, Clermont
Live on @SuperSportTV @ToyotaSA pic.twitter.com/cZD0PS0LGq