Rugby
Cheetahs mindful of EP banana peel─── MORGAN PIEK 09:18 Sat, 29 Mar 2025
The Toyota Cheetahs captain, Victor Sekekete, has highlighted the importance of securing a positive result on Friday when they take on Eastern Province in Gqeberha during round four of the SA Cup.
The Cheetahs are somewhat on the backfoot after their defeat to the Pumas last week, but the Valke also did them a huge favour by beating the Boland Cavaliers.
The match is a potential banana peel for the Cheetahs, as they have a lot to lose if they fail to record a positive result. While the Cheetahs are fully professional, Eastern Province is largely amateur, but they will want to prove a point against a team with stronger players.
Eastern Province does have a handful of players with experience at Super Rugby and PRO14 level, such as CJ Velleman and Stefan Willemse, while Ayabonga Oliphant was previously with the Cheetahs.
Victor Sekekete. Photo: Morgan Piek
After Saturday’s match, the Cheetahs will enjoy four consecutive home games before heading to the away fixture against the Suzuki Griquas.
Sekekete told OFM Sport that it’s crucial to start collecting as many points as possible.
“I think with all the away games we’ve had, we need to get as many wins as possible. Coming to Bloemfontein is going to give us the familiarity we know,” said Sekekete. “Playing in Bloemfontein is what we want to do, and we aim to win at home in our stadium.”
“Getting the points we’ve been earning is vital for us because once we’re back here, we want to collect all 20 points at home.”
Saturday’s game between Eastern Province and the Cheetahs at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium kicks off at 15:00 and will not be broadcast.
Eastern Province - 15 Jaden Bantom, 14 Rodney Damons, 13 Sherwin Slater, 12 Troy Delport, 11 Davian Swanepoel, 10 Chris Humphries, 9 Shirwin Cupido, 8 Athi Manentsa, 7 Stefan Willemse, 6 CJ Velleman, 5 Hannes Huisamen, 4 JJ Scheepers, 3 Zuki Sali, 2 Deon Plaatjies, 1 Siya Nzuzo
Replacements - 16 Masikane Mazwi, 17 Arno Gustafson, 18 Duncan Du Buisson, 19 Laken Gray, 20 Diego Williams, 21 Wayne Ngubane, 22 Chadwyn November, 23 Ayabonga Oliphant
Cheetahs - 15 Michael Annies, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Litha Nkula, 10 Clayton Blommetjies, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Sisonke Vumazonke, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Schalk Ferreira
Replacements – 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Banele Mthenjane, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Mzwanele Zito, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Raegan Oranje, 22 Jandré Nel, 23 Andell Loubser
