CHEETAHS VS 6 APRIL 1 SEP 14:00 17:30 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 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. CONTENTS Guinness PRO14 Welcome Message Toyota Sponsor s Message Free State Rugby Union Message Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd Message Toyota Cheetahs Player Profiles SA Invitational Deaf XV vs Blue Bulls Deaf Team Toyota Free State XV vs Griquas XV (Warm-Up Fixture) Toyota Cheetahs vs Ospreys Guinness PRO14 Fixtures & Results CheetahsRugby www.facebook.com/cheetahsrugby @CheetahsRugby www.fscheetahs.co.za
We haven t even reached the Guinness PRO14 Final Series and it feels like almost every game has that win or go home element to it as jeopardy becomes the theme of our final three rounds. Between now and Round 21 we have 12 games between teams competing for a place in the Guinness PRO14 Final Series and the Champions Cup Play-Off which is like having a mini-pool stage all of its own. This weekend we ve got Glasgow Warriors and Ulster going head to head at Scotstoun desperate to keep the pressure on their rivals in both Conferences straight off the back of their Champions Cup Quarter-Final performances. At the same time on Friday we ll have Munster and Cardiff Blues battling it out in Thomond Park in a clash between the two Conference A contenders while on Saturday Edinburgh go to Llanelli knowing that a priceless away win could see them leapfrog Benetton and close the gap on Ulster in Conference B. But who would rule out Scarlets nicking the final knock-out berth from Conference B? They have three must-win games and with internationals returning and key men coming back from injury Wayne Pivac could sneak his team into the Guinness PRO14 Final Series. If that happens I don t think anyone will be keen to face the only team in the Championship s history to have won away from home in the knock-out stages. At this point we know for sure that Leinster along with Glasgow Warriors will take their place in the Guinness PRO14 Final Series while Munster look all but sure of their place, but to see the likes of Benetton, Cardiff Blues, Connacht, Edinburgh, Scarlets, Ospreys and Ulster all in the mix to join them is more than we could have envisioned when we expanded the knock-out stages. The knock-on effect is greater intensity in our contests and more opportunity for our teams to prove they can still play attractive rugby in pressure situations. It s one of the reasons we had five teams from the Guinness PRO14 playing in the Champions Cup Quarter-Finals last weekend. The games in Edinburgh and Dublin were terrific encounters, dripping with drama and won by only the slightest of margins. It s games of that calibre that we will be seeing on a regular basis in our competition right the way up until the Guinness PRO14 Final on May 25. Hard luck to Edinburgh, Ulster and Warriors on their European exits, doubtless they will redouble their focus on the Guinness PRO14 and once again we ll keep our eyes closely peeled on the fortunes of Leinster and Munster as they take on two of European rugby s biggest powerhouses in Toulouse and Saracens in the Semi-Finals. As I mentioned the race for the Final Series is reaching fever pitch and with Leinster already qualified with a home Semi-Final it s going to take a serious effort to wrestle the trophy away from them but the Guinness PRO14 is becoming more unpredictable each season so this year s winners could yet come from Scotland, Italy or Wales. Of course, the Guinness PRO14 Final is coming up into view at Celtic Park on May 25 and 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! KAARTJIES AANLYN BESKIKBAAR - www.fscheetahs.co.za Enjoy the game, Martin Anayi Chief Executive Officer
CHEETAHS NEW SPONSORSHIP DEAL TOYOTA SOUTH AFRICA MOTORS AND TOYOTA CHEETAHS ANNOUNCE A NEW SPONSORSHIP DEAL Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) is pleased to announce the renewal of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs sponsorship for another three years spanning into 2022. This contract will still include the title sponsorship for the Toyota Cheetahs Pro14, Currie Cup, SuperSport Rugby Challenge and junior teams. The sponsorship also include the naming rights of Toyota Stadium an icon in Bloemfontein and the Free State - as well as the naming rights of the Toyota Cheetah Academy breeding ground of the next generation Toyota Cheetah players. TSAM over the past eight years has cemented its support and commitment to both the Cheetahs and the Free State. The sponsorship has created incredible opportunities for Toyota to interact with not only Cheetah fans but rugby supporters across South Africa. The sponsorship has included coaching clinics for children in and around Bloemfontein, VIP Toyota Owners Parking, fan engagement at Toyota Stadium and the giveaway of two Toyota Hilux vehicles in the process. Over the past three years of the sponsorship the Toyota Cheetahs also performed admirably by winning the Currie Cup in 2016 and being rugby-pioneers by moving over from Super Rugby into the northern hemisphere s Guinness Pro14 and in the process qualifying for a quarter final spot in 2018. In this period the Toyota Cheetahs also hosted the 2016 Currie Cup final, 2017 Test match between the Springboks and Australia and the 2018 Test match between the Springboks and England in Toyota Stadium. Through the Toyota Cheetahs Academy we invested in the young talent and helping the Toyota Cheetahs to develop rugby and life skills of our future Cheetahs and Springboks. In 2018 another product of the Toyota Cheetah academy in the form of Ox Nche was awarded his Springbok blazer. The possibility of helping young stars achieve their dreams, is a very exciting and humbling thought, which we are proud to be a part of. says Calvyn Hamman, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Toyota South Africa Motors.
CHEETAHS NEW SPONSORSHIP DEAL
CHEETAHS FREE STATE RUGBY UNION MESSAGE It is a big privilege for me as President of the Free State Rugby Union to welcome everyone to a feast of rugby today here in Toyota Stadium. We would like to welcome some special guests, the players from four teams who have played their way into contention for the SA Deaf Rugby national squad this past week as they battled it out in the inaugural Stones Cup, hosted in Bloemfontein. The tournament, which featured the Blue Bulls Deaf team, Western Province Thunder Deaf, SA Deaf Invitational XV and the Western Province Cyclones Deaf. The tournament served as the first South African Deaf Rugby matches since the encounter between the Blue Bulls and Western Province Deaf sides in 2005. Free State Rugby is proud to be hosting the SA Invitational Deaf XV who will line up against the Blue Bulls Deaf at the Toyota Stadium in a curtain-raiser to the Guinness PRO14 match between the Toyota Cheetahs and Ospreys. Today we welcome you, our loyal supporters, back and also thank you for your wonderful support. Your support encourages the team and motivates them to reach bigger heights. It s great to see the level of passion and commitment of fans who 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
TIAN SCHOEMAN
CHEETAHS FREE STATE CHEETAHS (PTY) LTD MESSAGE It has been a while since we ve had rugby in Toyota Stadium with the Toyota Cheetahs on tour in Ireland, Wales and Scotland. We are excited to be hosting today s Guinness PRO14 match against Ospreys and I would like to extend a warm word of welcome our visitors from Wales to Bloemfontein. A special word of welcome to all our sponsors, suite holders, season ticket holders and loyal supporters to Toyota Stadium. We are fortunate to have a great sponsor in Toyota South Africa who has recently extended the Toyota Free State Cheetahs sponsorship for another three years spanning into 2022. The Toyota Cheetahs has over the last eight years being very blessed to be associated with Toyota South Africa. We are no longer just partners but have also in process become friends. Our association with Toyota has allowed us to compete at the highest level and win a trophy, host test matches and make a seamless move from participating in the Southern Hemisphere to the Northern Hemisphere. We would again like to thank our sponsor, our partner and our fiends Toyota SA! With only two matches remaining after this round the Toyota Cheetahs are highly motivated to finish the competition on a memorable note. We wish Franco and his team well with the encounter tonight. We hope that everyone will enjoy the event with us. Ryno Opperman Chairman
MALCOLM JAER
SA INVITATIONAL DEAF XV vs BLUE BULLS DEAF TEAM Mihle Malanti Philani Tshaka Wandile Mali Franco Louw Ntando Bizani Sinethemba Matu Sibusiso Ntsila Siphamandla Mkhize Siphamandla May Brandon Alkaster Siyamthemba Mbiyake Mark Barnard Athule Marinana Lhumbulani Mshiywa Siphosethu Hokolwana 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Dennis Conray Justin Plaatjies Marius Badenhorst Sam Mothapo Lucien Barker Phillip Botha Andre du Toit Cheslyn Tities Coenraad Marnus Derckson Nhkumbeni Nhkumeleni Patrick Molotshwa Leon Willemans Betheul Kekane Quinten Erasmus Litha Mabula Unathi Madasi Bonginkosi Thandani Anele Malahla Thembikaya Nkasna 16 17 18 19 20 Auldin Pienaar Thato Tshesane Kamogelo Madisa Jean de Jager Adin Pieters Skillie Bester Hanjo Bester Coach Manager Michael Oosthuyzen Leandra Nel CheetahsRugby www.facebook.com/cheetahsrugby @CheetahsRugby www.fscheetahs.co.za
CHEETAHS WARM-UP FIXTURE Boan Venter Elandre Hugget Erich de Jager Keenan Murray Dennis Visser Otsile Ranthako Neill Jordaan Daniel Maartens Ruben de Haas Ernst Stapelberg Jamba Ulengo Ali Mgijima (c) Marlou van Niekerk Francois Agenbag Adriaan Carelse 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Devon Martinus AJ le Roux Ewald van der Westhuizen Pieter Janse van Vuuren Victor Sekekete Cody Basson Sias Koen Conway Pretorius Louis Venter George Whitehead (c) Anthonie Volmink Edwin Sass Eduan Keyter Warren Williams Keanu Vers Cameron Dawson Janus Venter Günther Janse van Rensburg Rayno Nel Ruan Smit Dian Badenhorst Tapiwe Mafura Lother Pretorius Lee Roy Bitterhout 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Khwezi Mkhafu Khwezi Mona NJ Oosthuizen Doctor Booysen Jonathan Adendorf Jonathan Janse van Rensburg Wendal Wehr Christiaan Meyer Andre Swarts Grant Hermanus Enver Brandt CheetahsRugby www.facebook.com/cheetahsrugby @CheetahsRugby www.fscheetahs.co.za
CHEETAHS Charles Marais Joseph Dweba Luan de Bruin Sintu Manjezi Walt Steenkamp Gerhard Olivier Abongile Nonkontwana Henco Venter Shaun Venter (c) Tian Schoeman Rabz Maxwane Dries Swanepoel Benhard Janse van Rensburg William Small-Smith Malcolm Jaer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Nicky Smith Scott Baldwin Tom Botha Adam Beard Bradley Davies Olly Cracknell Justin Tipuric (c) James King Aled Davies Luke Price Keelan Giles Owen Watkin Cory Allen Hanno Dirksen Dan Evans Marnus Schoeman Aranos Coetzee Reinach Venter JP du Preez Jasper Wiese Justin Basson Rudy Paige Louis Fouche 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Scott Otten Rhodri Jones Ma afu Fia Dan Lydiate Sam Cross Matthew Aubrey Sam Davies Luke Morgan Franco Smith Ashwell Rafferty Coach Manager Allen Clarke Daniel Griffiths Referee: John Lacey Assistant Referees: Sean Gallagher, Ben Crouse TMO: Johan Greeff CheetahsRugby www.facebook.com/cheetahsrugby @CheetahsRugby www.fscheetahs.co.za
NEXT MATCH SAT 13 APR 19:35 TOYOTA STADIUM CHEETAHS VS
SINTU MANJEZI
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 40-36 SAT, 16 FEB Connacht vs Toyota Cheetahs 25-17 SUN, 24 FEB Scarlets vs Toyota Cheetahs 43-21 FRI, 1 MAR Leinster vs Toyota Cheetahs 19-7 SAT, 23 MAR Glasgow vs Toyota Cheetahs 35-17 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