Rugby
EPCR Challenge Cup: Toyota Cheetahs make three changes to the team─── ILSE SMALBERGER 10:15 Sat, 18 Jan 2025
The Toyota Cheetahs have made three changes to the team that beat Zebre Parma last weekend in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
The men from Bloemfontein will play Lyon Olympique Universitaire in Round 4 of the competition this evening.
Lyon is a strong side who participated in the Champions Cup last year. They won two of their pool games in the EPCR Challenge Cup but lost badly against Connacht last weekend.
However, Toyota Cheetahs coach Izak van der Westhuizen backed his team completely.
An action packed Saturday ?? pic.twitter.com/My81HpXQ2j
— EPCR Challenge Cup (@ChallengeCup_) January 18, 2025
“We have had many injuries since the start of the campaign, but I believe in this team and their ability and willingness to fight until the last minute,” he said.
The team changes were necessitated by injuries to flyhalf Ethan Wentzel (shoulder) and Michael Annies (hamstring). Both have returned home already. Franco Smith Jr and Cohen Jasper will replace them. Neels Volschenk is on the bench.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 18:30 (19:30 SA time) at Matmut Stadium de Gerland in Lyon and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Steyn's Toyota Cheetahs Must Tame Lyon Olympique Universitaire To Survive @ https://t.co/REOeEqWCUy pic.twitter.com/NwQctaK8bi
— Ruggas (@Ruggascoza) January 18, 2025
The Toyota Cheetahs team to face Lyon:
15. Cohen Jasper
14. Munier Hartzenberg
13. Carel-Jan Coetzee
12. Ali Mgijima
11. Prince Nkabinde
10. Franco Smith
9. Ruben de Haas
8. Jeandré Rudolph
7. Friedle Olivier
6. Daniel Maartens
5. Victor Sekekete (C )
4. Pieter Janse van Vuren
3. Aranos Coetzee
2. Louis van der Westhuizen
1. Hencus van Wyk
On the bench:
16. Vernon Paulo
17. Corne Fourie
18. Laurence Victor
19. Pierre-Raymond Uys
20. Sisonke Vumazonke
21. Neels Volschenk
22. Jandrè Nel
23. Litha Nkula
?? TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT ??@ToyotaSA @ChallengeCup_ pic.twitter.com/GtxXDl5yeL
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) January 17, 2025
Match officials: The referee for the match is Sara Cox. She will be assisted by Harry Walbaum and Gareth Holsgrove. Dan Jones is the TMO.
Players not available for selection due to injury: Cameron Dawson (calf), James Verity-Amm (knee), Gideon van der Merwe (ankle), Robert Hunt (calf), Banele Mthenjane (hamstring), Carl Wegner (finger), Oupa Mohoje (shoulder), Schalk Ferreira (hamstring), Michael Annies (hamstring) and Ethan Wentzel (shoulder).
