The Toyota Cheetahs have a mammoth assignment of defending the Carling Currie Cup, South Africa’s premier rugby title.
The Free State rugby giants started the campaign to defend the crown positively against the Griffons.
The reigning champions claimed the bragging rights of the Free State derby by demolishing the Welkom boys 82 – 20 in the opening fixture of the prestigious tournament – played on Saturday, 6 July.
The Cheetahs fully capitalised on the advantage of playing in their backyard, the Toyota Stadium.
The technical team, led by head coach Izak van der Westhuizen and supported by backline and kicking coach Albert Keuris and defense coach Charl Strydom, will look to continue the onslaught in a titanic clash against Western Province on Saturday, 13 July.
The Cheetahs’ pedigree will be tested by title-hungry tourists in this pulsating contest of the premier division tournament.
The team from the Western Cape suffered a crucial loss, 25 – 30, at the hands of their arch-rivals, the Blue Bulls, in their opening fixture played on Sunday.
The match was played in Cape Town.
The Cheetahs are aspiring to progress as far as possible in this tournament, which will reach its climax with the final on 21 September. While their ambitions are to play in the final, the greatest task is ensuring they reach the semifinals to increase the prospects of defending the title.
This year’s semifinals will be played on 14 September, with the two winners thereof facing off in the final.
Exciting news is a tour of the iconic Currie Cup trophy for both semifinals fixtures – paving the way for grand finale.
