Toyota Cheetahs face Glasgow Warriors in Guinness PRO14 opening match
The nineteenth season of Guinness PRO14 rugby begins in Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein where the recently crowned Currie Cup champions, Toyota Cheetahs welcomes last season’s beaten finalists and 2015 champions, Glasgow Warriors.
The action kicks off at 19:05 (SA time) with a live broadcast on SuperSport, Premier Sports, eir Sport and DAZN. Gates open at 15:30 with a curtain raiser between Free State Amateur and Lesotho at 16:30.
The Toyota Cheetahs won their last two games of the 2018/19 campaign beating Dragons and Isuzu Southern Kings at Toyota Stadium and their only defeat in their last five home games was to Ospreys in round 19 last seasons.
Friday will mark the first opening game at home and the home field advantage might give the team a boost.
Glasgow Warriors were last year’s losing finalist in the Guinness PRO14 whist their most recent defeat in the regular season came in round 13 against Benetton Rugby. The opponent’s only defeat in round 1 since 2012 was at home to Scarlets in 2015.
The two sides have met on four previous occasions in Guinness PRO14 with the visitors victorious in each instance. Both teams like to play expansive rugby.
“We’ve done well in Currie Cup and enjoyed the moment but the mentality among the players is that we still have to keep working hard. Glasgow Warriors is very task driven. We have to keep the momentum and we will be well prepared for this competition. We are not underestimating what is coming.” Said interim coach Franco Smith.
“The good thing is that we start at home. Very tough opposition will be coming for us in the next three weeks and we have to be up for the challenge. I believe, and have all the confidence in the team, that we can bring home the victories and put up the log points. The attitude in the team is to stick together and keep working hard for the player next to you.” Said the Club Captain, Tian Meyer.
The Toyota Cheetahs will be moving into a new direction with regards to captaincy. Continuing from the Currie Cup campaign, the leader of the players, on and off the field is Tian Meyer. In order to manage the player’s game time, there will also be an on-field captain, who can change from time to time. The on-field captain for the game against Glasgow Warriors will be Ruan Pienaar.
The following players are not eligible for team selection due to injury: Justin Basson (knee), Ali Mgijima (Achilles), Marnus van der Merwe (foot), Charles Marais (bicep) and Clayton Blommetjies (ankle).
Rugby World Cup – Ruben de Haas (USA), Aranos Coetzee (Namibia). SA Sevens – Darren Adonis.
Toyota Cheetahs
15 Rhyno Smith
14 William Small-Smith
13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg
12 Dries Swanepoel
11 Anthony Volmink
10 Tian Schoeman
9 Ruan Pienaar (C)
1 Ox Nche
2 Joseph Dweba
3 Erich de Jager
4 Sintu Manjezi
5 Walt Steenkamp
6 Gerhard Olivier
7 Junior Pokomela
8 Henco Venter
16 Reinach Venter
17 Boan Venter
18 Luan de Bruin
19 JP du Preez
20 Sias Koen
21 Jasper Wiese
22 Tian Meyer
23 Louis Fouche
The referee for the match is Dan Jones (WRU, 25th competition game). He will be assisted by Ben Crause and Griffon Colby (both SARU). The TMO is Lourens van der Merwe (SARU).
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