There was a buzzing of excitement at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Monday morning with the Toyota Cheetahs taking a step closer to their third season in the EPCR Challenge Cup.

The Cheetahs new playing jersey was revealed to the players on Monday morning and this particular jersey pay home to one worn from 1997 to 2000, and even some of legendary players such as Helgard Muller, Dirkie Groenewald and Ryno Opperman were in attendance as the players took their ‘mugshots’ in the new kit.

For several of the players in the team it will be their first European adventure with guys such as Neels Volschenk, Ethan Wentzel, Jandré ‘Smiley’ Nel and Sisonke Vumazonke about to play in the competition for the first time, while there are experienced campaigners like Aranos Coetzee, Oupa Mohoje and Friedle Olivier to bank on.

Volschenk, who captained the Cheetahs for the first time earlier in year, told OFM Sport that going to go and measure themselves against international opponents excites him.

“I think for myself and all the guys include, we are all very excited - it's obviously Europe, it poses a new challenge,” said Volschenk.

“You want to be successful, but you want to measure yourself against the best. The whole group and, like you said, we've been working hard at it in the preseason, and I think the time has come now where we want to test ourselves against some of the best in the game.

Helgard Muller - Morgan Piek

“It's extremely exciting - as a youngster, I've only watched these teams play on television, and dreamt of playing against them one day. Like you've just said, it's northern hemisphere teams, and they pose something completely different than a Super Rugby team that you might face. We're looking forward to the challenge.”

Meanwhile, the young loosie, who has the potential to play at the highest level one day, is admittedly a big fan of the World Rugby Player of the Year for 2024, Pieter-Steph du Toit. Du Toit become the first South African to win the prestigious accolade twice.

Volschenk added that he looks up to and is inspired by the legendary Springbok player, and he strives to follow the example he has set.

Neels Volschenk - Morgan Piek

“It's really exciting for me - it inspires me a lot and motivates me. Pieter-Steph is my favourite Springbok, and as a rugby player, and as a human, I pride myself on my work rate and my work ethic. I think that's exactly what Pieter-Steph does. He gives it his all on the field, and he plays for the team. Making history, that's awesome because as a rugby player, you want to be the best, and you want to measure yourself against the best.

“Being named as the World Rugby Player of the Year for a second time is awesome. That is great. I think as a rugby player, I’m aspiring to do that one. It’s really awesome for him, and I'm glad for him.”

Meanwhile, on Thursday Cheetahs will hone in a Challenge Cup warm-up game against the Bulls in Pretoria. The Cheetahs will kick-off their campaign on 8 December against Perpignan (France) in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport