BLOEMFONTEIN – The Cheetahs will host the log leaders of the 2026 SA Cup, the Griquas, at the Toyota Stadium tonight as the SA Cup league phase concludes. Both a semifinal berth and qualification for the 2026 Carling Currie Cup Premier Division are at stake.

The match kicks off at 18:00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport 211. The Bloemfontein side currently sits third on the log and controls its own fate heading into the final round.

Head coach Frans Steyn has named his squad for the encounter, with Louis van der Westhuizen starting at hooker, Jaco van der Walt at flyhalf, and fullback Clayton Blommetjies completing the starting XV.

The team has been hit by injuries, with nine players unavailable for selection. Arno van der Merwe and Sasko Ndlovu are out with hamstring injuries, whilst Pierre Uys and Vice Hofmeyer are sidelined with shoulder problems. Ntokozo Makhaza (knee), Ben Pitout and Frankie Dos Reis (ankles), Prince Nkabinde (head injury), and Jooste Nel (chest injury) are also unavailable.

Gates open at 15:00, with a curtain-raiser between the Free State LSEN and Bloemfontein South preceding the main fixture. Post-match entertainment will be provided by Loufi at the Castle Deck.

In partnership with Thirsti, the club’s official hydration partner, the Cheetahs will contribute to testicular cancer research, with R1 000 donated for every try scored by the team this season.

Tickets are available through Ticketpro or at the stadium ticket office, priced at R60 for adults on the main stand, R40 for adults on the open stand, and R30 for children. Toyota drivers can access free parking at Gate 1 on Att Horak Avenue, subject to availability.

Mornè Ferreira will referee the match, assisted by Hardus Coetzee and Eon van Zyl.

During the match, five supporters will participate in the Kloppers Expert Kick to Win competition.

Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Cohen Jasper, 13 Munier Hartzenberg, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Michael Annies, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Sisonke Vumazonke, 7 Neels Volschenk, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Tielman Niewoudt.

Replacements: 16 Juan Smal, 17 Dux Manyama, 18 John-Kelly Onkonko, 19 Curtly Thomas, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 22 Carel Jan Coetzee, 23 Ethan Wentzel.