The Toyota Cheetahs travelled to Italy this week, where they will host Section Paloise on Sunday, 22 January. Kick-off at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma.

The Toyota Cheetahs have suffered back-to-back defeats to the Scarlets but are ready to take on Pau in the second EPR Challenge Cup Encounter.

Tickets are available online, and viewers in South Africa can watch the match live on SuperSport 211.

“Sunday is an important game for us. We said from the start that we wanted to reach the top 6. We want to do well and use the opportunity to show that the Toyota Cheetahs belong in international rugby.” Said Coach Hawies Fourie.

“The forecast for Sunday is between zero and minus four degrees celsius, so it will be cold, but no rain is expected, making it possible to handle the ball well, keep it through phases, and play an attacking brand of rugby.

“A win on Sunday will show the fighting spirit of the people of the Free State,” said Toyota Cheetah Defence Coach Charl Strydom.

The team for the encounter with a couple of changes from last week:

Daniel Maartens will be wearing the nr. 6 jersey, replacing the injured Sibabalo Qoma (ankle), with Roelof Smit providing cover on the bench. Andell Loubser and Tapiwa Mafura switch places with Mafura in the starting line-up.

Toyota Cheetahs

Tapiwa Mafura, Daniel Kasende, David Brits, Reinhardt Fortuin, Munier Hartzenberg, Siya Masuku, Rewan Kruger, Jeandré Rudolph, Friedle Olivier, Daniel Maartens, Victor Sekekete (Captain), Rynier Bernardo, Aranos Coetzee, Louis van der Westhuizen, Schalk Ferreira.

Replacements

Marko Janse van Rensburg, Alulutho Tshakweni, Hencus van Wyk, Mzwanele Zito, Roelof Smit, Branden de Kock, Robert Ebersohn, Andell Loubser.

Photo by Fred Porcu/INPHO/Shutterstock/BackpagePix