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4 NOVEMBER1 SEP 14:00 • 16:30 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 Message by the Free State Premier PHOTOGRAPHY Johan Pretorius Rememberance Day

TOYOTA CHEETAHS Toyota Cheetahs Player Profiles MARKETING MANAGER Kobus le Roux Toyota Cheetahs vs Munster

COPYRIGHT Guinness PRO14 Fixtures & Results 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 You know the rugby has really taken shape when the autumn internationals come into view and you realise that a third of the Guinness PRO14 season is already in the books. Reflecting on the first seven rounds of the Guinness PRO14 it is so encouraging to see how the individual goals of our clubs, their coaches and players, our unions and our broadcasters has created such a thriving Championship. It has been a really competitive season so far and whether we’re seeing tighter scorelines, surprise results or games that go right down to the final kick, our teams are providing drama and quality in equal measure. With our new family of broadcasters across the UK, Ireland and Italy fans are now able to watch more Guinness PRO14 than ever before and it’s great that Premier Sports, eir sport and DAZN are making so many games available. Backing them up S4C and TG4 have been busy delivering new production standards that do a great service to the exciting rugby that’s on oer every week. Naturally, the pinnacle of the game is the international sphere. Our clubs put in an incredible amount of work to identify the best talent and ensure it goes from the academy to the pitch in the Guinness PRO14. That pipeline of talent that our teams push through to the world game and, indeed, the British & Irish Lions is a huge source of pride for their communities, their unions and everyone involved in our tournament. The result for the Guinness PRO14 is a stellar array of sustainable home-grown, world-class talent. Of course, on weekends such as this there is a clash with the club and international fixtures, which in the current season structure, is nigh on impossible to avoid. The reality around the fixture clashes is that revenue from the international game is still a key resource for our unions and their clubs. Through dual and central contracting it helps ensure the best talent remains in our countries so that they can inspire future generations by playing for their local teams all while ensuring their welfare is properly looked after. Our job is to ensure the Guinness PRO14 is the best tournament for players to play in, so they can fulfil their potential in front of the fans that it means the most to. For the Guinness PRO14 it means you can see the next generation of talent on show this weekend and the next is always ready to emerge and grab the headlines. Larmour was one of 76 newly capped internationals from the Championship last season and congratulations to him on his nomination for World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year. To be listed alongside ’s Aphiwe Dyantyi and New Zealand’s Karl Tu'inukuafe is a real validation of his performances for Leinster and Ireland – not to mention those cracking tries he scored in the Guinness PRO14 last season.

As for our coaches, weekends like this are when all their pathway planning and strategic nous come into play. Opportunity beckons for the players, but they make for one of the toughest environments for coaches to prepare for and operate in. It should be no surprise that coaches like Joe Schmidt, and Gregor Townsend (and Danny Wilson) have gone on to the Test arena having proven themselves in our Championship. ’ boss Wayne Pivac will add his name to that list, too, when he becomes Wales head coach after the World Cup.

O the pitch, I’d like to express our condolences to the Benetton family after the passing of Gilberto who is one of the co-founders of Benetton and alongside the rest of his siblings worked so hard to make Treviso a hub of sports activity. I’ve said before how impressive ’s recent improvements have been and I trust ’s team will have added inspiration to top last season’s achievements and, perhaps, reach the knock-out stages for the first time.

As for Round 8, an intriguing weekend of fixtures await. Can get back on form against Scarlets? Will ’ young guns keep up their form against Ospreys? How will Leinster and Munster fare on their visits to South Africa, can or sneak a win away from home and can Benetton see o the challenge of a rejuvenated Ulster? KAARTJIES AANLYN BESKIKBAAR - www.fscheetahs.co.za The Guinness PRO14 trophy is the prize every team is fighting for and you can see the champions crowned in Glasgow on May 25 in Celtic Park as the Final takes place outside of a rugby venue for the very first time. To get access to the best oers check our ocial accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter or just visit bit.ly/glasgow2019 to get your tickets.

Enjoy the game,

Martin Anayi Chief Executive O cer

TOYOTA SPONSOR’S MESSAGE

Welcome to today’s match at proud partner of the Toyota Free State the Toyota Stadium. Cheetahs.

The Toyota Free State Cheetahs have a To the opposition – welcome to Toyota very proud, rich and successful history in Stadium. The talking will be done on the the oldest domestic rugby competition in field and will certainly prove to be tough, the world. thrilling and remind rugby lovers why they love the game so much. During the Super Sport Rugby Challenge, Daan Human and his technical staff did Lastly, and most importantly, to the loyal some remarkable work to lead the Toyota fans who come out and support the boys, Free State XV all the way to the semi-finals no matter what, thank you for the unwav- of the competition, and in the process ering support you show the Toyota Free unearthed some promising talent. This State Cheetahs. You are what it is all has given Franco Smith a fantastic about and it is you that the players want to platform to launch the Currie Cup make proud. Thank you again for campaign and the Toyota Free State supporting our boys! Cheetahs will no doubt hit the ground running. Enjoy the match.

The Toyota Free State Cheetahs welcome many new players to their ranks, and this brings a good mix of experience, youth and flair.

To Franco Smith, the rest of the coaching staff and the team, we stand alongside you and look forward to writing the next chapter of proudly Toyota Free State Cheetahs rugby with you. We know that Andrew Kirby the “never say die” attitude will be on President and CEO display again this season and that you of Toyota South Africa and the players will make everyone proud.

We look forward to the Currie Cup Com- petition and will continue to show the support we have provided over the past few years as not only a sponsor, but as a

FREE STATE CHEETAHS (PTY) LTD MESSAGE CHEETAHS

I would like to convey my sincere appreciation During this period the Cheetahs won the and gratitude to all the Cheetah supporters, Currie Cup three times and shared it once. sponsors, season tickets- and suite holders, More than can be said of most teams. A five and our partner SuperSport and everyone who year business plan with great prospects was stood by us through tough times. implemented but unfortunately SANZAAR decided to cut the competition back to 15 I would like to give some perspective on teams and the Toyota Cheetahs was circumstances under which Free State Rugby eliminated. had to build and survive over the years and therefore we value and need all our supporters The Toyota Cheetahs challenged SARU and and friends. after hard negotiations a settlement was reached. The Toyota Cheetahs took the Top 10 Rugby was introduced in the 1990’s initiative to join PRO14 and were given the with teams from South Africa, New Zeeland opportunity to play rugby on a highly and Australia. The top 3 Currie Cup teams professional level. participated in the competition, which included the Free State. Free State is the only province in South Africa who has to participate simultaneously in the Later on the competition expanded with the Currie Cup Premier Division and Guinness inclusion of a fourth South African team. The PRO14. We realised that this is not viable, but Free State was a powerful entity in those years. we didn’t have a choice. Currie Cup is simply In 1998 the Lions didn’t finish under the top 4 too important for us. SARU is incisively Currie Cup teams and after negotiations with looking at next year’s competitions and the ‘smaller’ Unions, regional teams were hopefully it will not overlap again next year. introduced. The Lions, Cheetahs, and played together as the Cats. This Free State Rugby Management, staff, players was devastating for the Free State and 18 and coaches went through a very tough phase players left us in the first year. Luckily our during the last two years. Players, who were partner SuperSport came to our rescue. offered more money from other unions and overseas clubs, forced us to put a new strategy The announcement of Super 14 in 2006 in place. offered a bright future for the Central Cheetahs and we managed to secure great We are working hard and are convinced that sponsors and to build Free State Rugby. The we will again be a champion team in Currie partnership with Griquas and Griffons was Cup and Guinness PRO14. challenging and each entity wanted to act in his own best interest. It is an honour and a privilege to work for the Toyota Cheetahs and to build this company In 2016 the competition was expanded to 18 further. teams and the Toyota Cheetahs was awarded their own franchise. HAROLD VERSTER MANAGING DIRECTOR

SHAUN VENTER

FREE STATE RUGBY UNION MESSAGE CHEETAHS

It is a privilege for me as President of them to reach bigger heights. It’s the Free State Rugby Union to great to see the level of passion and welcome everyone at this afternoon’s commitment of fans who live and Guinness PRO14 in Toyota Stadium. breathe every kick, every hit, every call and every try. I would like to extend a warm word of welcome to our opponents, Munster May you all enjoy this day and from Limerick in Ireland. We hope especially the camaraderie of rugby that you’ve enjoyed the hospitality in friends. the City of Roses. Today, Free State Rugby is honouring Your Sincerely and saluting the Armed Forces in commemoration of Remembrance Day on the 11th of November. We will be paying tribute to the memory of all officials who have passed away in the call of duty and hope that you will appreciate the displays by the Armed Forces in Toyota Stadium today.

The support of our loyal season ticket Jerry Segwaba holders, suite holders and fans President encourages the team and motivates MESSAGE BY FREE STATE PREMIER

PRO 14 Match: irrespective of our diverse Toyota Cheetahs vs Munster backgrounds.

4 November 2018 I would like to urge all the people of the Free State, as well as the public On behalf of the Free State Provincial servants in our Provincial Government Government, I would like to thank the and municipalities, to go out in their Free State Rugby Union for this numbers and support this beautiful important Rugby Match taking place game. I would also like to take this at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein opportunity to welcome all our guests, between our local team, the Free from other parts of the country and State Cheetahs, and Munster, from elsewhere in the world, to relax and the Republic of Ireland. It is a great feel at home in our province. May we honour for the Free State to be the enjoy the games and unite in our host to this beautiful game. diversity.

I have no doubt that this spectacular Match will be well received, and will turn out to be e spectacular event. The people of the Free State, as well as South Africans in general, are greatly passionate about sport, and Rugby is one of the popular sporting codes which is very close to the hearts of our people.

This year, 2018, we celebrate the centenaries of two outstanding icons of our struggle for freedom and S.H. Ntombela democracy, Tata Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu, who would have turned 100 years old this years, were they alive. It is therefore befitting that, in their honour, we use sport as one of the tools to unite all of us, RHYNO SMITH WHAT IS REMEMBERANCE DAY?

Remembrance Day (sometimes known poem, "We Shall Keep the Faith," and informally as Poppy Day) is a memori- swore to wear a red poppy on the al day observed in Commonwealth of anniversary. Nations member states since the end The custom spread to Europe and the of the First World War to remember countries of the British Empire and the members of their armed forces Commonwealth within three years. who have died in the line of duty. These poppies bloomed across some Following a tradition inaugurated by of the worst battlefields of Flanders in King George V in 1919, the day is World War I; their brilliant red colour also marked by war remembrances in became a symbol for the blood spilled many non-Commonwealth countries. in the war.

Remembrance Day is observed on 11 In South Africa, Remembrance Day is November in most countries to recall not a public holiday. Commemoration the end of hostilities of World War I on ceremonies are usually held on the that date in 1918. Hostilities formally nearest Sunday, at which the "Last ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th Post" is played by a bugler followed by day of the 11th month", in accor- the observation of a two-minute dance with the armistice signed by silence. Ceremonies to mark the event representatives of Germany and the in South Africa are held at the Ceno- Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 that taph in , and in at morning. ("At the 11th hour" refers to the Voortrekker Monument cenotaph the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 and the War Memorial at the Union am.) Buildings. Many high schools hold Remembrance Day services to honour The red remembrance poppy has the past pupils who died in the two become a familiar emblem of World Wars and the Border war. In Remembrance Day due to the poem addition, the South African Legion of "In Flanders Fields" written by Canadi- Military Veterans holds a street collec- an physician Lieutenant-Colonel John tion on the nearest Saturday to gather McCrae. After reading the poem, funds to assist in welfare work among Moina Michael, a professor at the military veterans. University of Georgia, wrote the HONOURING AND SOLUTING THE ARMED FOURCES

On Sunday, 4 November, Free State Rugby is honouring and saluting the Armed Forces in commemoration of Remembrance Day on the 11th of November.

A procession by the SANDF, SAPS, Air Force, Traffic Department, Fire Department and Rescue Unit, which includes the SAPS Diving Unit, Dog Unit and Mounted Unit, will be lead around Toyota Stadium from 13:45 to 14:00. All vehicles participating in the parade, as well as a SANDF helicopter will be on display on the hockey pitch behind the main stand inside Toyota Stadium.

The SANDF Band will be providing entertainment at the match and the SAPD Dog Unit will do a demonstration during half time.

TOYOTA CHEETAHS PLAYER PROFILES CHEETAHS

1 12 13 PROP HOOKER PROP 105 kg 108kg 120 kg 1.75 m 1.75 m 1.86 m 29 caps 8 caps 29 caps OX NCHE 14 15 16 LOCK LOCK FLANK 121 kg 115 kg 105 kg 2.03 m 2.09 m 1.89 m 7 caps 7 caps 7 caps

WALT STEENKAMP JP DU PREEZ 17 18 19 FLANK NO. 8 SCRUMHALF 105 kg 100 kg 88 kg 1.87 m 1.90 m 1.84 m 18 caps 3 caps 23 caps

JUNIOR POKOMELA AIDON DAVIS (c) 101 111 121 FLYHALF WING CENTRE 89 kg 83 kg 93 kg 1.82 m 1.81 m 1.80 m 7 caps 15 caps 20 caps

TIAN SCHOEMAN RABZ MAXWANE NICO LEE

TOYOTA CHEETAHS PLAYER PROFILES CHEETAHS

131 141 151 CENTRE WING FULLBACK 88 kg 94 kg 81 kg 1.85 m 1.84 m 1.73 m 7 caps 22 caps 1 cap

BENHARD JANSE VAN RENSBURG WILLIAM SMALL-SMITH RHYNO SMITH 161 171 181 RESERVE RESERVE RESERVE 118 kg 120 kg 118 kg 1.77 m 1.91 m 1.87 m 1 cap 27 caps 4 caps

REINACH VENTER CHARLES MARAIS ERICH DE JAGER 191 201 211 RESERVE RESERVE RESERVE 109 kg 92 kg 108 kg 1.97 m 1.80 m 1.94 m 1 cap 4 caps 2 caps

SINTU MANJEZI DANIEL MAARTENS ABONGILE NONKONTWANA 221 231 RESERVE RESERVE 84 kg 98 kg 1.77 m 1.89 m 22 caps 4 caps

TIAN MEYER LOUIS FOUCHE

CHEETAHS

Ox Nche 1 James Cronin Joseph Dweba 2 Kevin O’Byrne Aranos Coetzee 3 Walt Steenkamp 4 JP du Preez 5 Darren O’Shea Gerhard Olivier 6 Fineen Wycherley 7 Aidon Davis 8 Arno Botha Shaun Venter (c) 9 Alby Mathewson Tian Schoeman 10 Bill Johnston Rabz Maxwane 11 Alex Wootton Nico Lee 12 Tyler Bleyendaal (c) Benhard Janse van Rensburg 13 Sammy Arnold William Small-Smith 14 Rhyno Smith 15

Reinach Venter 16 Charles Marais 17 Jeremy Loughman Erich de Jager 18 John Ryan Sintu Manjezi / 19 Sean O’Connor Daniel Maartens 20 Gavin Coombes Abongile Nonkontwana 21 Duncan Williams 22 Louis Fouche 23

Franco Smith Coach Ashwell Rafferty Manager Niall O’Donovan

Referee: Marius Mitrea Assistant Referees: Cwengile Jadezweni, Ruhan Meiring TMO: Shaun Veldsman

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

NEXT MATCH SAT•24 NOV 14:30 TOYOTA STADIUM

VS CHEETAHS

OX NCHE

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 16:45

SAT, 24 NOV Toyota Cheetahs vs Benetton 14:30

SAT, 1 DEC Toyota Cheetahs vs Connacht 17:00

SUN, 6 JAN Zebre vs Toyota Cheetahs 15:00

SAT, 19 JAN Kings vs Toyota Cheetahs TBC

SAT, 26 JAN Toyota Cheetahs vs Zebre 15:00

SAT, 2 FEB Toyota Cheetahs vs Kings 16:00

FIXTURES & RESULTS 2018/19 FIXTURES & RESULTS SAT, 16 FEB Connacht vs Toyota Cheetahs 19:30

SUN, 24 FEB Scarlets vs Toyota Cheetahs TBC

FRI, 1 MAR Leinster vs Toyota Cheetahs 21:35

SAT, 23 MAR Glasgow vs Toyota Cheetahs TBC

SAT, 6 APR Toyota Cheetahs vs Ospreys TBC

SAT, 13 APR Toyota Cheetahs vs Dragons TBC

SAT, 27 APR Toyota Cheethas vs Kings TBC GUINESS PRO14

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