Rugby
Cheetahs pick strong team for Perpignan challenge─── MORGAN PIEK 15:46 Fri, 06 Dec 2024
“We've made it to the top 16 twice, and I think now everybody wants more than that. It's very clear in camp and during training sessions.”
The Toyota Cheetahs have named their strongest possible side for Sunday's EPCR Challenge Cup round one fixture against Perpignan in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The Cheetahs welcome the return of several seasoned players who missed out on the Currie Cup, including Namibian international hooker Chucky van der Westhuizen, live-wire flanker Daniel Maartens, and centre Ali Mgijima.
The exciting Michael Annies starts at fullback, while Munier Hartzenberg and Prince Nkabinde will play on the wings. Mgijima and Carel-Jan Coetzee form the centre pairing.
Ethan Wentzel and American international Ruben de Haas will combine as the halfback duo.
Upfront, Jeandré Rudolph, Friedle Olivier, and Gideon van der Merwe form the backrow, with Victor Sekekete and Carl Wegner starting at lock.
The front row features two Namibians, Aranos Coetzee and Van der Westhuizen, alongside veteran loosehead Schalk Ferreira.
The bench offers impactful options, including the fiery Vernon Paulo, Oupa Mohoje, and Maartens among the replacements.
Cheetahs captain Victor Sekekete told OFM Sport that they are braced for a physical encounter and are determined to start strongly.
“Yeah, I think we know by now how the French like playing—very physical. They have very big boys as well,” said Sekekete.
Ethan Wentzel - Morgan Piek
“First things first, it’s going to be a forward battle for us up front, and we have to dominate that to get the kind of territory we want in the game. So I think it's going to be good, like you said, and it's going to be very interesting.
“This time around it's about being hungry for more. We've made it to the top 16 twice, and I think now everybody wants more than that. It's very clear in camp and during training sessions.”
Sunday’s match between the Cheetahs and Perpignan at the NRCA Stadium kicks off at 15:00.
Cheetahs - 15 Michael Annies, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Ruben de Haas, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 1 Schalk Ferreira
Replacements - 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Hencus van Wyk, 18 Robert Hunt, 19 Pierre Uys, 20 Oupa Mohoje, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 George Lourens
Morgan Piek OFM Sport
