Oranje returns to action after more than a year on the sidelines and will slot in at outside centre. During his time at Griquas, he primarily played on the wing, while in the Varsity Cup, he featured as a scrumhalf for the University of Pretoria Tuks. 

His only official outing for the Cheetahs was in the 2023 Toyota Challenge against the Western Force before a serious knee injury in an SA Cup warm-up match ruled him out for the season.

He faces a stern test on his return, going head-to-head with former Blitzbok, Cheetahs stalwart, and Springbok Cornal Hendricks, who will start at outside centre for Boland and also serves as their vice-captain.

Speaking to OFM Sport, Oranje emphasised that his focus is on playing for the badge on his chest rather than the number on his back – with his ultimate goal being a team victory. “First of all, I’m just incredibly grateful for the opportunity to wear the Cheetahs jersey.”

“There’s an old saying: ‘You play for the badge on your chest, not the number on your back’ – and that has always been my mindset. My main focus is doing my part to ensure the team looks good. Having Frans (Steyn) back me takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders, and I want to put in a performance that repays his faith in me.

“The coaches have put in the hard work, they’ve prepared us well, and now it’s up to us to finish the job and dim Boland’s light because they’ve been riding high.”

After more than 12 months without competitive rugby, Oranje has looked sharp in training and is backing both his ability and his hunger for the game ahead of this crucial clash. “I feel very confident going into the weekend. I just want to focus on the basics, do them well, and contribute to the team’s success. 

“It’s not about any individual – come Saturday, it’s about the team, the badge, and restoring the respect the Cheetahs name deserves. For too long, we’ve been in the background. I won’t say in the shadows, but it’s time to remind people to respect the Cheetahs again. That starts this weekend.”

Raegan Oranje when he still played for the Griquas. Photo: Morgan Piek

Boland have a handful of players that have represented the Cheetahs in the past such as Neil Rautenbach and Dayan van der Westhuizen, while they have several ex-Griffons players which include Duren Hoffman, Michael Benadie, and Doctor Booysen.

Saturday’s highly anticipated clash between Boland and the Cheetahs kicks off at 15:00.

Boland - 15 Darian Hock, 14 Duren Hoffman, 13 Xavier Mitchell, 12 Cornel Hendricks, 11 Lunathi Nxele, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Chriswell September, 8 Thurlow Marsh (captain), 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Keenan Opperman, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Doctor Booysen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Wayrin Losper

Replacements - 16 Neil Rautenbach, 17 Vernon Matongo, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Schalk Oelofse, 20 Gift Dlamini, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Garth April, 23 Jurick Lewis

Cheetahs - 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Raegan Oranje, 12 Jooste Nel, 11 Litha Nkula, 10 George Lourens, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Neels Volschenk, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky der Westhuizen, 1 Hencus van Wyk

Replacements - 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Dux Manyana, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Jandré Nel, 23 Banie Britz

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh