CHEETAHS VS 2 FEBRUARY 1 SEP 14:00 16:00 BLOEMFONTEIN
CHEETAHS TOYOTA CHEETAHS EDITORIAL TEAM Ronel Pienaar Kobus le Roux Chantelle du Plessis ADVERTISING AND SUITES Wilna Jurack 084 854 4492 PHOTOGRAPHY Johan Pretorius TOYOTA CHEETAHS MARKETING MANAGER Kobus le Roux CONTENTS Guinness PRO14 Welcome Message Toyota Sponsor s Message Free State Rugby Union Message Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd Message Toyota Cheetahs Player Profiles Toyota Cheetahs vs Isuzu Southern Kings Guinness PRO14 Fixtures & Results COPYRIGHT The official Cheetahs programme is compiled by Yskoud.com under license from Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd. All registered trademarks remain the property of Cheetahs and are used with Cheetahs permission. The views expressed in this programme are not necessarily those of Yskoud.com or Cheetahs. All right reserved. No part of this programme may be reproduced in any form, without the prior arrangement of the Cheetahs. CheetahsRugby www.facebook.com/cheetahsrugby @CheetahsRugby www.fscheetahs.co.za
It may be winter in the north, but today we will be treated to some sensational summer rugby as the Toyota Cheetahs and the Isuzu Southern Kings show us exactly what our South African teams have added to the Guinness PRO14. Congratulations to both sides for their wins last weekend the Toyota Cheetahs scored some sensational scores in their big win over Zebre, but hats off to the Kings for that terrific comeback against Edinburgh in Port Elizabeth. Yaw Penxe may have scored the winning try but it was an out of this world offload by Meli Rokoua that made it happen, certainly a try of the season contender. What we see on a regular basis from the Cheetahs and the Kings is imaginative rugby and a real risk-reward approach to their play which is turning a lot of heads around the Guinness PRO14. But don t let the chillier weather in the north fool you, we ve got plenty of teams who throw the ball around as well with Leinster, Scarlets, Glasgow Warriors and Zebre all sharing a flair for invention. I also can t let our success in Europe s pool stages pass without mention as we are immensely proud to see five of our clubs in the draw for the Champions Cup Quarter-Finals and to have Connacht in the Challenge Cup knock-outs, too. It is the first time since 2012 that we have had so many teams in the knock-out stages of the Champions Cup and that is reflective of not only the talent on the pitch but the coaching teams and the structures of the clubs off it. To see two Scottish clubs in the Quarter-Finals is a terrific achievement and a sure sign of where the game in Scotland is at. The national team and the clubs are performing consistently under the direction of Scottish Rugby and in particular the work that has been going on at Edinburgh under Richard Cockerill has added to the strength of their professional game. In Ireland, Leinster and Munster continue to roll as they have in previous years and now Ulster have returned to the knock-outs as they regain their momentum under Dan McFarland this season and you wouldn t bet against them reaching the Guinness PRO14 Final Series either. It s also rewarding to see Connacht reach the Quarter-Finals in the Challenge Cup because of the positive rugby Andy Friend has them playing and a very honourable mention for Benetton Rugby. Although they didn t reach the knock-outs, they came close on 20 points and also scored wins over Harlequins, Grenoble and Agen so there is certainly something sparking in Treviso right now. Naturally, a lot of debate has been sparked about which competition rules the roost when it comes to club rugby in the northern hemisphere with many differing opinions. To have five teams from the Guinness PRO14 present is a great accomplishment, as is our win ratio against teams from outside of our Championship over the past number of seasons. But it is important to understand that the Guinness PRO14 is a very different proposition to the domestic tournaments in England and France. For starters, those leagues are based upon private ownership, in our Championship we are led more by the unions who are shareholders in the tournament. Our metrics for success include performances in Europe and also how our shareholder unions perform in the Test arena, the exciting brand of rugby we produce in the Guinness PRO14 and the litany of Next Generation talent that so quickly establishes brand new stars of the world game. The talent of coaching in the Guinness PRO14 is also at an extremely high level with many coaches stepping up to take roles at international level based of their work in our Championship. That relies on technical expertise, shrewd recruitment and the ability to accelerate young players into front-line talent all while getting the best out their international stars. On these fronts we are delivering and that drive interest in the tournament through sponsorship and commercial activity which is already evidenced by our record broadcast deals that came into effect this season. As the game in Bloemfontein kicks off today I want all of our South African supporters to know that the Guinness PRO14 is going from strength-to-strength KAARTJIES AANLYN and that the BESKIKBAAR Championship - www.fscheetahs.co.za has not yet reached the peak. It is an exciting journey and one that we know you will be on every step of the way. With upwards of 10 teams still in contention of the knock-out stages the Guinness PRO14 Final is coming up into view at Celtic Park on May 25. Without even making a tackle you can guarantee your place by going direct to bit.ly/glasgow2019 to get your tickets. The Guinness PRO14 Final has become a great event for supporters of all our clubs and if you fancy treating yourself, or perhaps surprising that passionate rugby fan in your life, then a trip to Celtic Park on May 25 should do the trick! Martin Anayi Chief Executive Officer
TOYOTA SPONSOR S MESSAGE Welcome to today s Guinness Pro 14 match here at Toyota Stadium. It is amazing how rugby has changed over the past 12 months. This time last year the Toyota Cheetahs were in the Vodacom Super Rugby tournament and now they face new, exciting and sometimes unknown opposition in the Pro14 tournament. A year is a long time in rugby it seems. Still, there are things that haven t changed, things that have improved and things that will improve even more. Not only are the Toyota Cheetahs doing ground-breaking work by competing against the best of the Northern Hemisphere, they are charting a new way forward and creating a breeding ground of players who understand the conditions, and what it takes to succeed in this new environment. This has always been the Toyota Cheetahs way, to play an attractive brand of rugby and to develop top class players that South Africa can be proud of. Toyota has always been the catalyst for success in supporting the players in the team and our partnership is stronger than ever, ensuring the Toyota Cheetahs can enter this bold new world with both confidence and strength. To Franco Smith and his team, we stand with you as you enter this new battleground, this new challenge that will both test us and show the world what we are made of. We applaud the fighting spirit that you have and the opportunity to show new markets and new regions what Toyota Cheetahs rugby means to all of us. We will be beside you as you embark on this new challenge, and will continue to show the support we have provided over the past few years as not only a sponsor, but as a proud partner of Toyota Cheetahs. To the opposition welcome to Toyota Stadium. The battles will be tough and uncompromising, but we are sure you will experience some of our world-famous Free State hospitality during your stay. And lastly, but certainly not least, to our loyal fans who support the team week in and out, thank you for your exceptional undying support for the Toyota Cheetahs. You are the heartbeat of the stadium, the inspiration for the players and without you rugby would be a lot poorer. Thank you again for supporting our team. Enjoy the match. Andrew Kirby President and CEO of Toyota South Africa
CHEETAHS FREE STATE RUGBY UNION MESSAGE Today marks the first South African Guinness PRO14 derby for 2019 in Toyota Stadium and it is a privilege for me as President of the Free State Rugby Union to welcome everyone at this event. A special word of welcome to the management, players and supporters of the Isuzu Southern Kings. I hope that you ve enjoyed your stay in Bloemfontein. The Toyota Cheetahs will enter the match with a flawless win record against their Eastern Cape counterparts which currently stands at played four, won four but after nail biting action in the dying minutes at the Madibaz Stadium two weeks ago to sneak through for a win, our Franco s team will not underestimate Deon David s charges. I thank our loyal supporters for their motivation and encouragement through good times and bad. It carries the team to reach bigger heights. It s great to see the level of passion and commitment of fans that that live and breathe every kick, every hit, every call and every try. A very special word of thanks to Toyota for their sponsorship of the Toyota Cheetahs as well as all the other sponsors without whom we cannot be successful. May you all enjoy this day and especially the camaraderie of rugby friends. Your Sincerely Jerry Segwaba President
ABONGILE NONKONTWANA
CHEETAHS FREE STATE CHEETAHS (PTY) LTD MESSAGE Considering the thrilling finish between the Toyota Cheetahs and Isuzu Southern Kings a fortnight ago, and the exciting victories last weekend, we are looking forward to seeing sparks fly in Toyota Stadium today! I would like to welcome everyone to today s Guinness PRO14 match, a derby between the two South African sides, the Toyota Cheetahs and the Southern Kings, here in Bloemfontein. A special word of welcome to all our sponsors, suite holders, season ticket holders and loyal supporters. The Toyota Cheetahs are on a hot-streak of three successive wins, which has brought them within seven log points of Ospreys and Connacht, who are in third and fourth place respectively on the Conference A log. The rewarding results have put them into position to possibly play their way into the quarter-final for the second season in a row, as the top three teams in each of the two conferences will make it through. We wish Franco and his team well with the encounter today. We hope that everyone will enjoy the day with us. Ryno Opperman Chairman
WALT STEENKAMP
CHEETAHS TOYOTA CHEETAHS PLAYER PROFILES OX NCHE 1 PROP 105 kg 1.75 m 35 caps JOSEPH DWEBA 12 13 HOOKER 108kg 1.75 m 14 caps ARANOS COETZEE PROP 120 kg 1.86 m 35 caps 14 15 16 LOCK 109 kg 1.97 m 6 caps LOCK 115 kg 2.09 m 12 caps FLANK 108 kg 1.94 m 8 caps SINTU MANJEZI WALT STEENKAMP ABONGILE NONKONTWANA JUNIOR POKOMELA 17 18 19 FLANK 105 kg 1.87 m 24 caps GERHARD OLIVIER NO. 8 105 kg 1.89 m 13 caps SHAUN VENTER (c) SCRUMHALF 88 kg 1.84 m 28 caps 101 111 121 FLYHALF 89 kg 1.82 m 13 caps WING 83 kg 1.81 m 11 caps CENTRE 93 kg 1.80 m 26 caps TIAN SCHOEMAN RABZ MAXWANE NICO LEE
CHEETAHS TOYOTA CHEETAHS PLAYER PROFILES BENHARD JANSE VAN RENSBURG 131 141 151 CENTRE 88 kg 1.85 m 13 caps WING 94 kg 1.84 m 28 caps WILLIAM SMALL-SMITH MALCOLM JAER FULLBACK 72 kg 1.74 m 13 caps 161 171 181 RESERVE 118 kg 1.77 m 5 caps RESERVE 120 kg 1.91 m 33 caps REINACH VENTER CHARLES MARAIS LUAN DE BRUIN RESERVE 120 kg 1.83 m 5 caps 191 20 1 21 1 RESERVE 115 kg 2.09 m 12 caps RESERVE 110 kg 1.90 m 4 caps RESERVE 109 kg 1.90 m 8 caps JP DU PREEZ 22 1 RESERVE 77 kg 1.69 m 3 caps JASPER WIESE 23 1 RESERVE 94 kg 1.87 m 7 caps NIELL JORDAAN RUDY PAIGE ERNST STAPELBERG
CHEETAHS Ox Nche Joseph Dweba Aranos Coetzee Sintu Manjezi Walt Steenkamp Abongile Nonkontwana Junior Pokomela Gerhard Olivier Shaun Venter (c) Tian Schoeman Rabz Maxwane Nico Lee Benhard Janse van Rensburg William Small-Smith Malcolm Jaer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Schalk Ferreira Michael Willemse Luvuyo Pupuma Andries van Schalkwyk John-Charles Astle (c) Cyril John Velleman Martinus Burger Ruaan Lerm Stefan Ungerer Ntabeni Dukisa Bjorn Basson Tertius Kruger Meli Rokoua Yaw Penxe Masixole Banda Reinach Venter Charles Marais Luan de Bruin JP du Preez Jasper Wiese Niell Jordaan Rudy Paige Ernst Stapelberg 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Alandre van Rooyen Alulutho Tshakweni De-Jay Terblanche Stephan Greeff Andisa Ntsila Sarel Pretorius Bader Pretorius Berton Klaasen Franco Smith Ashwell Rafferty Coach Manager Deon Davids Zingi Hela Referee: Stuart Berry Assistant Referees: Quinton Immelman, Cwengile Jadezweni TMO: Marius Jonker CheetahsRugby www.facebook.com/cheetahsrugby @CheetahsRugby www.fscheetahs.co.za
NEXT MATCH SAT 6 APR 17:30 TOYOTA STADIUM CHEETAHS VS
RABZ MAXWANE
FIXTURES CHEETAHS SAT, 1 SEP Munster vs Toyota Cheetahs 38-0 SAT, 8 SEP Ospreys vs Toyota Cheetahs 46-14 SAT, 15 SEP Toyota Cheetahs vs Glasgow 24-52 FRI, 21 SEP Toyota Cheetahs vs Ulster 39-39 FRI, 28 SEP Cardiff vs Toyota Cheetahs 24-21 GUINESS PRO14 2018/19 FIXTURES & RESULTS FRI, 5 OCT Edinburgh vs Toyota Cheetahs 37-21 SAT, 27 OCT Toyota Cheetahs vs Cardiff 21-10 SUN, 4 NOV Toyota Cheetahs vs Munster 26-30 SAT, 24 NOV Toyota Cheetahs vs Benetton 31-25 SAT, 1 DEC Toyota Cheetahs vs Connacht 17-21 SUN, 6 JAN Zebre vs Toyota Cheetahs 12:27 FRI, 18 JAN Kings vs Toyota Cheetahs 17-24 SAT, 26 JAN Toyota Cheetahs vs Zebre 61-28 SAT, 2 FEB Toyota Cheetahs vs Kings 16:00 SAT, 16 FEB Connacht vs Toyota Cheetahs 19:00 SUN, 24 FEB Scarlets vs Toyota Cheetahs 15:00 FRI, 1 MAR Leinster vs Toyota Cheetahs 21:35 SAT, 23 MAR Glasgow vs Toyota Cheetahs 21:45 SAT, 6 APR Toyota Cheetahs vs Ospreys 17:30 SAT, 13 APR Toyota Cheetahs vs Dragons 19:35 SAT, 27 APR Toyota Cheethas vs Kings 17:30 HOME GAME *Fixtures and kick-off times are subject to change