The Toyota Cheetahs tighthead prop, Hencus van Wyk, will be playing in his 50th game for the team on Wednesday night when they face the Western Force of Australia in Bloemfontein in the Toyota Challenge.

Van Wyk has been named on the bench for the game against the Australian Super Rugby franchise. He will however provide cover at loosehead prop.

In the backline, the University of the Free State Shimlas star, Asanda Kunene, will be on debut for the Cheetahs after being named on the right wing. The debut of Kunene means that five players in the starting backline won the Varsity Cup with the Shimlas earlier in the year. 

Jooste Nel in turn will start at inside centre, while Ethan Wentzel and Smiley Nel, once again for the halfback combination.

Upfront, Friedle Olivier, Oupa Mohoje, and Gideon van der Merwe will form the back row. Robert Hunt, Corné Fourie, and Schalk Ferreira will start in the front row.

The bench sees the versatile Andell Loubser get a rare opportunity. He last played in the SA Cup earlier in the year.

With the Cheetahs having to play three games in the space of a week, with matches against the Griffons and Emerging Ireland to follow, the management of the squad will be important. The captain, Victor Sekekete, told OFM Sport that it will once again be a squad effort.

Asanda Kunene. Photo: Catherine Kotze/Asem Engage

“The coaches said that we are not going to focus on a lot of things as we know it’s three games in seven days and it’s going to be a squad effort,” said Sekekete.

“So, there is nothing much to work on anymore as we have already worked on a lot of the things we wanted to. So from here on it's all about progression. It’s progression from the Currie Cup into international rugby.”

On Wednesday at 16:00, Emerging Ireland will face the Pumas at the Toyota Stadium, while the match between the Cheetahs and Western Force kicks off at 19:00.

Cheetahs - 15 Michael Annies, 14 Asanda Kunene, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Jooste Nel, 11 Litha Nkula, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Jandré Nel, 8 Friedle Olivier, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Corné Fourie, 1 Schalk Ferreira

Replacements - 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Pierre Uys, 20 Aidon Davis, 21 Sisonke Vumazonke, 22 Andell Loubser, 23 Rewan Kruger

Western Force - 15 Isaac Raumaitavuki-Kneepkens,14 Justin Landman, 13 Harry Potter, 12 Sio Tomkinson, 11 Mac Grealy, 10 Max Burey, 9 Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 6 Will Harris, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Josh Thompson, 3 tiaan Tauakipulu, 2 Nic Dolly, 1 Marley Pearce

Replacements - 16 Tom Horton, 17 Harry Hoopert, 18 Sila Tituti, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Titi Nofoagatotoa, 21 Henry Robertson, 22 Coby Miln, 23 Divad Palu

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh