VS

27 1APRIL SEP 14:00 • 17:30 CONTENTS CHEETAHS

TOYOTA CHEETAHS EDITORIAL TEAM Guinness PRO14 Welcome Message Ronel Pienaar Kobus le Roux Toyota Sponsor’s Message Chantelle du Plessis Free State Message ADVERTISING AND SUITES Wilna Jurack (Pty) Ltd Message 084 854 4492 Toyota Cheetahs Player Profiles PHOTOGRAPHY Johan Pretorius Toyota Free State XV vs XV

TOYOTA CHEETAHS Toyota Cheetahs vs Kings MARKETING MANAGER Kobus le Roux Guinness PRO14 Fixtures & Results

COPYRIGHT The official Cheetahs programme is compiled by Yskoud.com under license from Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd. All registered trademarks remain the property of Cheetahs and are used with Cheetahs permission. The views expressed in this programme are not necessarily those of Yskoud.com or Cheetahs. All right reserved. No part of this programme may be reproduced in any form, without the prior arrangement of the Cheetahs.

CheetahsRugby www.facebook.com/CheetahsRugby @CheetahsRugby www.fscheetahs.co.za What better way to prepare for the Guinness PRO14 Final Series than with a slate full of derby games as we approach the last seven games of the regular season. It’s been an eventful season once again for the Guinness PRO14 and we enter Round 21 with five teams set for the knock-out stages, but only three of them have secured their seedings. In Conference A, two of our former champions Munster and are duelling for the top spot and in Conference B three teams are still capable of claiming the last Final Series berth. There’s also five teams in the running to appear in the Champions Cup Play-O game so there’s still so much to play for across the Championship. History could also be made today if can overcome in their derby game to become the first-ever Italian side to qualify for our knock-out stages. Success for Benetton would also mean that they become the first Italian team to qualify for the Champions Cup on merit. It’s only a couple of years since full meritocracy was put in place and the impetus it has created is providing positive results already. For the second season in a row Judgement Day takes place in Round 21 and there is so much on the line at the Principality Stadium. are not out of the title race yet and if they can pick up a bonus-point win over , then they’ll have a chance of leapfrogging Edinburgh and Benetton should those sides fail to win. Wayne Pivac’s men will also want to be in the running for the Champions Cup Play-O which takes us to our second game in Cardi. Cardi and are in a straight shoot-out for the Champions Cup Play-O berth from Conference A with just a point between them it’s simply a case of winner takes all. In fact, the winner will also earn the right to host the Play-O game, too. I would also like to acknowledge the much-discussed call from the TMO and Match Ocial team in Cardi Blues’ last game away to Connacht. As a tournament organiser we are determined to put in processes and facilities to assist our Match Ocials in getting these big decisions right and anything less than that isn’t good enough for our teams and their fans. We have already instigated a review which may well culminate in upgrades and improvements to be made. It should be noted that over the course of the last nine months the Championship has sanctioned investment of an additional £1million per year on our elite match ociating services compared to the previous year. This investment has been made on the basis of a five-year plan developed by our Elite Referee Manager, Greg Garner in August 2018, who joined from the RFU. It has allowed Greg to invest more in our analysis of referee performances as well as a continuous professional development programme aimed at ensuring that our match ocials team are attaining a level of excellence in every game. I must say that we have a superb team of match ocials both on the elite panel and the encouragingly the development programme who are working diligently with Greg daily to improve all the time. We thank them and the referees managers in each of our Unions for buying into the changes being implemented. We know we must do more and that challenge excites all of us as we strive to be the best rugby championship in the world. In Bloemfontein, our South African sides play their final derby of the campaign. It is fair to say that there are high hopes for both the Toyota Cheetahs and the Isuzu for next season after a tough second year in the Guinness PRO14. However, a showreel of their attacking play would make for a mouth-watering watch and we’ll be looking forward to more of that flair in 2019/20. Congratulations to Leinster for reaching their fifth Champions Cup Final last weekend. Leo Cullen has done a terrific job with the province, so good in fact he brings his squad to Belfast to face Ulster with a home Semi-Final already locked up while their hosts will welcome Connacht in a week’s time for their Quarter-Final clash. I’m delighted that the day finishes up with simultaneous kick-os in Glasgow and Limerick with both Glasgow Warriors and Munster chasing the home Semi-Final place from Conference A. Warriors take on Edinburgh, themselves need to win for their hopes of reaching the Final Series or the European Play-O, while Munster set themselves upon a dangerous Connacht side eager to retain their momentum ahead of the knock-out stages. Finally, KAARTJIESI would like toAANLYN thank each BESKIKBAAR and every one - www.fscheetahs.co.za of you who has attended our games this season and shown your commitment to your clubs. Our attendances have held strong again this year thanks to the quality of rugby on oer and some of you may be lucky enough to see the regular-season try record broken for the third year in a row – just 27 tries are needed today to break last year’s tally of 861. To the teams signing o on their campaigns today, I wish them a very healthy and rewarding break while it is best of luck to the teams who remain in the hunt. Remember, no matter who you support the season doesn’t end until May 25 when the Guinness PRO14 trophy is lifted into the Glasgow sky at Celtic Park. Guarantee your place by going direct to bit.ly/glasgow2019 to get your tickets. Enjoy the game, Martin Anayi Chief Executive O cer

TOYOTA SPONSOR’S MESSAGE

Welcome to today’s Guinness Pro 14 match with a brand of rugby everybody adores and here at Toyota Stadium. loves.

We are approaching the backend of another We will be monitoring the Toyota Cheetahs thrilling Pro14 tournament and this time very closely and our expectations of Franco around it has without a doubt been the tough- Smith and his charges will be very high. est yet for the Toyota Cheetahs, but one in which a lot of important work was done in We are confident that they will play their hearts order to lead the team into the future. out and make us and all their supporters proud. The expectations were exceedingly high, especially when one takes into account that To the opposition – welcome to Toyota during their debut season in the Pro14 they Stadium. The battles will be tough and uncom- managed to reach the . promising, but we are sure you will experience some of our world-famous Free State hospitali- The 2018/19 season was deemed to be a ty during your stay. rebuilding season and with this nearly complete, it is time to move on to the next And lastly, but certainly not least, to our loyal phase, and that will be the execution phase. fans who support the team week in and out, Once again we will be walking this tough, yet thank you for your exceptional undying exciting journey alongside the Toyota Chee- support for the Toyota Cheetahs. You are the tahs. heartbeat of the stadium, the inspiration for the players and without you, rugby would be a We are proud to announce that we have lot poorer. Thank you again for supporting our extended our partnership with the Toyota team. Cheetahs for a further three years. This contract will still include the title sponsorship for the Toyota Cheetahs Pro14, , SuperSport Rugby Challenge and junior Enjoy the match. teams.

The sponsorship also includes the naming rights of Toyota Stadium, an icon in Bloemfon- tein and the Free State, as well as the naming rights of the Toyota Cheetah Academy, the breeding ground of the next generation Toyota Cheetah players.

This will take our partnership with the Toyota Cheetahs to over a decade and in an econom- Andrew Kirby ic climate which sees teams President and CEO battling to sign deals for the upcoming season, of Toyota we can say that we are proud to be associated

FREE STATE RUGBY UNION MESSAGE CHEETAHS

Today marks the last Guinness PRO14 cannot be successful. match for the 2018/19 season and with this South African derby it is a May you all enjoy this day and privilege for me as President of the especially the camaraderie of rugby Free State Rugby Union to welcome friends. everyone at this event.

A special word of welcome to the management, players and supporters Your Sincerely of the Isuzu Southern Kings. I hope that you’ve enjoyed your stay in Bloemfontein.

The Toyota Cheetahs will enter the match with a flawless win record against their counterparts and we believe that they can end the season on a high note.

I thank our loyal supporters for their Jerry Segwaba motivation and encouragement President through good times and bad. It carries the team to reach bigger heights. It’s great to see the level of passion and commitment of fans that that live and breathe every kick, every hit, every call and every try.

A very special word of thanks to Toyota for their sponsorship of the Toyota Cheetahs as well as all the other sponsors without whom we

BENHARD JANSE VAN RENSBURG

FREE STATE CHEETAHS (PTY) LTD MESSAGE CHEETAHS

I would like to welcome everyone to finish the competition on a memorable today’s rugby festival with the first note and wish all the teams well with their SuperSport Rugby Challenge match of the encounters today. season and the last Guinness PRO14 match of the 2018/19 season. We hope that everyone will enjoy the day with us. The derbies between the four South African sides, the Toyota Cheetahs and the Southern Kings, and the Toyota Free State XV and Sharks XV promises excitement and we are looking forward to seeing sparks fly in Toyota Stadium today!

I want to extend a special word of welcome to all our sponsors, suite holders, season ticket holders and loyal Ryno Opperman supporters to Toyota Stadium. We are Chairman fortunate to have a great sponsor in Toyota South Africa.

With only one match remaining the Toyota Cheetahs are highly motivated to

TOYOTA CHEETAHS PLAYER PROFILES CHEETAHS

1 12 13 PROP HOOKER PROP 120 kg 108kg 120 kg 1.71 m 1.75 m 1.86 m 38 caps 19 caps 42 caps 14 15 16 LOCK LOCK FLANK 121 kg 115 kg 111 kg 2.03 m 2.09 m 1.87 m 19 caps 19 caps 7 caps

WALT STEENKAMP JP DU PREEZ 17 18 19 FLANK NO. 8 SCRUMHALF 108 kg 109 kg 88 kg 1.94 m 1.93 m 1.84 m 15 caps 23 caps 35 caps

ABONGILE NONKONTWANA 101 111 121 FLYHALF WING CENTRE 89 kg 83 kg 97 kg 1.82 m 1.81 m 1.84 m 20 caps 27 caps 7 caps

TIAN SCHOEMAN RABZ MAXWANE

TOYOTA CHEETAHS PLAYER PROFILES CHEETAHS

131 141 151 CENTRE WING FULLBACK 88 kg 85 kg 98 kg 1.85 m 1.77 m 1.89 m 19 caps 30 caps 14 caps

BENHARD JANSE VAN RENSBURG (c) LOUIS FOUCHE 161 171 181 RESERVE RESERVE RESERVE 118 kg 118 kg 118 kg 1.77 m 1.87 m 1.87 m 11 caps Debut 8 caps

REINACH VENTER BOAN VENTER ERICH DE JAGER 191 201 211 RESERVE RESERVE RESERVE 109 kg 110 kg 77 kg 1.97 m 1.90 m 1.69 m 13 cap 7 caps 9 caps

SINTU MANJEZI 221 231 RESERVE RESERVE 72 kg 80 kg 1.74 m 1.74 m 17 caps 2 cap

MALCOLM JAER DARRON ADONIS

CHEETAHS

Cameron Dawson 1 Gugu Nelani Elandre Huggett (c) 2 Cullen Collopy Günther Janse van Vuuren 3 Khutha Mchunu Keenan Murray 4 Dylan Weideman 5 Andrew Evans Otsile Ranthako 6 Adam Mountfort Daniel Maartens 7 Wian Vosloo Niell Jordaan 8 Kwanda Dimaza Ruben de Haas 9 Grant Williams Ernst Stapelberg 10 Murray Koster Jamba Ulengo 11 Leolin Zas Marlou van Niekerk 12 Jeremy Ward (c) Aya Olifant 13 DJ Falconer Tapiwa Mafura 14 Sicelo Tole Adriaan Carelse 15 Rhyno Smith

Cameron Dawson 16 Nthutuko Mthembu Quintin Vorster 17 Roger Zondi Janus Venter 18 MB Lusaseni Bertie de Bod 19 Vian Fourie Dian Badenhorst 20 Zee Makabela Lubabalo Dubela 21 Inny Radebe Carel-Jan Coetzee 22 Charles Mayeza

Referee: Paul Mente Assistant Referees: Jaco Kotze, Darren Colby

CheetahsRugby www.facebook.com/CheetahsRugby @CheetahsRugby www.fscheetahs.co.za

CHEETAHS

Charles Marais 1 Schalk Ferreira 2 Michael Willemse Aranos Coetzee 3 De-Jay Terblanche 4 Andries van Schalkwyk JP de Preez 5 John-Charles Astle (c) Marnus van der Merwe 6 Stephan de Wit Abongile Nonkontwana 7 Martinus Burger Henco Venter 8 Ruaan Lerm Shaun Venter 9 Stefan Ungerer Tian Schoeman 10 Courtney Winnaar Rabz Maxwane 11 Dries Swanepoel 12 Sibusiso Sithole Benhard Janse van Rensburg 13 Harlon Klaasen Tian Meyer (c) 14 Meli Rokoua Louis Fouche 15 Masixole Banda

Reinach Venter 16 Alandre van Rooyen Boan Venter 17 Xandre Vos Erich de Jager 18 Lupumlo Mguca 19 Schalk Oelofse Jasper Wiese 20 Rudy Paige 21 Malcolm Jaer 22 Bader Pretorius Darron Adonis 23 Dukisa Ntabeni

Franco Smith Coach Ashwell Rafferty Manager Zingi Hela

Referee: Dan Jones Assistant Referees: Aled Evans, Paul Mente TMO: Johan Greeff

CheetahsRugby www.facebook.com/CheetahsRugby @CheetahsRugby www.fscheetahs.co.za

NEXT MATCH SAT•27 APR 17:30 TOYOTA STADIUM

CHEETAHS

LUAN DE BRUIN

FIXTURES CHEETAHS

SAT, 1 SEP Munster vs Toyota Cheetahs 38-0

SAT, 8 SEP Ospreys vs Toyota Cheetahs 46-14

SAT, 15 SEP Toyota Cheetahs vs Glasgow 24-52

FRI, 21 SEP Toyota Cheetahs vs Ulster 39-39

FRI, 28 SEP vs Toyota Cheetahs 24-21

FRI, 5 OCT Edinburgh vs Toyota Cheetahs 37-21

SAT, 27 OCT Toyota Cheetahs vs Cardiff 21-10

SUN, 4 NOV Toyota Cheetahs vs Munster 26-30

SAT, 24 NOV Toyota Cheetahs vs Benetton 31-25

SAT, 1 DEC Toyota Cheetahs vs Connacht 17-21

SUN, 6 JAN Zebre vs Toyota Cheetahs 12:27

FRI, 18 JAN Kings vs Toyota Cheetahs 17-24

SAT, 26 JAN Toyota Cheetahs vs Zebre 61-28

SAT, 2 FEB Toyota Cheetahs vs Kings 40-36

SAT, 16 FEB Connacht vs Toyota Cheetahs 25-17

SUN, 24 FEB Scarlets vs Toyota Cheetahs 43-21

FRI, 1 MAR Leinster vs Toyota Cheetahs 19-7

SAT, 23 MAR Glasgow vs Toyota Cheetahs 35-17

SAT, 6 APR Toyota Cheetahs vs Ospreys 14-31

SAT, 13 APR Toyota Cheetahs vs Dragons 38-13

SAT, 27 APR Toyota Cheethas vs Kings 17:30 FIXTURES & RESULTS GUINESS PRO14 2018/19 FIXTURES & RESULTS

HOMEHOME GAME *Fixtures and kick-off times are subject to change