The Toyota Cheetahs will be hoping that their three week unbeaten run in the Currie Cup will give them momentum as they head into Saturday’s EPCR Challenge Cup playoff game against French giants RC Toulon.
Toulon were runners-up in last year’s Challenge Cup, losing against Lyon and will pose a massive challenge for the Cheetahs.
But their three good victories in the Currie Cup will hopefully see them start with a lot of confidence, Fourie believes.
“The three weeks of Currie Cup were important to give all the players game time and to select the right players for this match.” Said Coach Hawies Fourie.
“We’ll definitely miss a valuable player and kicker like Frans Steyn. Still, we’ve planned accordingly, and the responsible players have done it before and have the confidence to do what is required.”
Steyn was injured last weekend in the Currie Cup outing against the Vodacom Blue Bulls.
“We are used to playing away (in EPCR Challenge Cup) and adapting to the conditions quickly. It is still cold here, but the forecast for Saturday is for no rain, but strong winds are expected. We’ll have to adapt and adjust quickly on Saturday.
“Toulon has a quality team, and it will be a big ask and much tougher than the previous rounds. We expect to play against their best side. We’ve braced ourselves for that and have to play confidently and believe in what we do.”
Toulon have several big names for the clash, and will be captained by 39-year old former Italian captain Sergio Parisse. In addition to him, there is the dangerous Fijian Waisea Vuidravuwalu and Welsh captain Dan Biggar. Los Pumas big running forward Facundo Isa is also in the side.
Teams
RC Toulon: Thomas Salles, Jiuta Naqoli Wainiqolo, Jeremy Sinzelle, Waisea, Vuidravuwalu, Aymeric Luc; Dan Biggar, Benoit Paillaugue; Sergio Parisse (captain), Facundo Isa, Jules Coulon, Adrien Warion, Swan Rebbadj, Kieran Brookes, Teddy Baubigny, Bruce Devaux.
Replacements: Christopher Tolofua, Dany Priso, Beka Gigashvili, Matthias Halagahu, Mathieu Bastareaud, Jules Danglot, Maelan Rabut, Ihaia West.
Toyota Cheetahs: Tapiwa Mafura, Daniel Kassende, David Brits, Robert Ebersohn, Munier Hartzenberg; Reinhardt Fortuin, Ruan Pienaar: Jeandre Rudolph, Oupa Mohoje, Gideon van der Merwe, Victor Sekekete (captain), Rynier Bernardo, Hencus van Wyk, Marnus van der Merwe, Schalk Ferreira.
Replacements: Marko Janse van Rensburg, Alulutho Tshakweni, Conraad van Vuuren, Mzwanele Zito, Siba Qoma, Daniel Maartens, Rewan Kruger, Cohen Jasper.