BLOEMFONTEIN – The Free State Cheetahs head coach Frans Steyn has underscored his confidence in the squad’s readiness and depth in the quest to claim South Africa’s premier domestic rugby trophy – Currie Cup in division one. His charges start the competition with a daunting assignment against the Lions in the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday 19 July.

The adrenaline-pumping fixture will see South Africa scrum-half Faf de Klerk debut for the Free State rugby giants against the Lions in round one of the tournament.
Last year, Steyn’s lads reached the semifinals, but lost 5 – 25 to the Northern Cape’s Griquas. The Lions were runners-up, losing to the defending champions, the Griquas.
“Everybody is quite confident and fit. Most important is to be consistent,” said Steyn. He said part of ensuring the team prevailed involved improving on areas of concern identified during the build-up to the tournament.
Steyn acknowledged the Lions are a competitive team. “They are a quality outfit. On our side, we can only control what we can. Executing our game plan is in our hands. Most importantly, we must pitch up and find consistency, otherwise we are going to find ourselves in big trouble. “We must be consistent week in, week out.”

While winning the championship is the ultimate goal, he said he would be happy to reach the semifinals again, believing that will measure the progression of this team.

The Cheetahs’ current skipper, Neels Volschenk, predicts a tough game against the Lions.
“It doesn’t matter which squad they pick – experienced or young – they have good coaches and talented players.” He said there were benefits in starting the competition against a tough side.
“This is a good way to measure ourselves,” said Volschenk.

The referee for the match is Dylen November. He will be assisted by AJ Jacobs and Jonathan Lottering. The TOM Egon Seconds.

Sunday’s game kicks off at 13:00. Gates open at 10:00. Jo Black performs at the Castle Deck from 11:30 to 12:30.Tickets are available online via Ticketpro and from the stadium ticket office. Prices are R100 for adults on the main stand, R60 for adults on the open stand and R30 for children. Students only pay R35 in the designated area. 

The Cheetahs starting squad

Clayton Blommetjies

Tielman Niewoudt

Marko Janse van Rensburg 

Aranos Coetzee

Carl Wegner

Victor Sekekete

Ramon Uys

Juan Venter

Neels Volschenk (C)

Faf de Klerk

Jaco van der Walt

Michael Annies

Zander du Plessis

Munier Hartzenberg 

Cohen Jasper