In a bold move that screams both confidence and continuity, coach Frans Steyn has decided to keep the faith with the same squad that edged out Georgia in a nail-biter, for the upcoming clash against Boland in the Currie Cup. This Sunday’s game in Wellington will witness four debutantes stepping onto the domestic stage, ready to prove their mettle.
The Cheetahs’ lineup will be bolstered by the inclusion of wings Ntokozo Makhaza and Banie Britz, alongside props Frankie dos Reis and Ben Pitout, all set to make their first appearances. Among them, Makhaza is particularly one to watch. Fresh off being crowned the 2025 Varsity Cup Player of the Season, he dazzled spectators by scoring two tries in the recent international fixture against Georgia. His performance there clearly left a mark, leading Steyn to comment on his valuable addition to the team.
"You can see there is something special about Makhaza, he is an awesome asset to have in our squad. The biggest thing for me is his mindset off the field. I’m very happy that we can have someone special like him here with us."
Despite the excitement surrounding the new players, the Cheetahs are not without their challenges. A string of injuries has sidelined a notable chunk of their potential selection. The casualty list includes Munier Hartzenberg (hamstring), George Lourens (forearm), Prince Nkabinde (thumb), Michael Annies (foot), Carl Wegner (hamstring), John Kelly Okonkwo (knee), Dux Manyama (hamstring), and Tielman Niewoudt (back), all of whom were not considered for selection due to their injuries.
The team that will take to the field against Boland will be led by Victor Sekekete, with Cohen Jasper at fullback and the promising Makhaza and Britz on the wings. Ethan Wentzel will direct the game from the fly-half position, supported by Rewan Kruger at scrum-half. The pack features a blend of experience and new blood, with the debutants complementing established players like Gideon van der Merwe and Pierre Uys.
The bench looks robust too, featuring the likes of Vernon Paulo, Cameron Dawson, and the energetic Clayton Blommetjies, ensuring that the Cheetahs have depth and options to alter the course of the game if needed. As they gear up for Sunday’s game, all eyes will be on how these new players adapt to the pressures of the Currie Cup and whether they can translate their promise into performance on a bigger stage.
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In a bold move that screams both confidence and continuity, coach Frans Steyn has decided to keep the faith with the same squad that edged out Georgia in a nail-biter, for the upcoming clash against Boland in the Currie Cup. This Sunday’s game in Wellington will witness four debutantes stepping onto the domestic stage, ready to prove their mettle.
The Cheetahs’ lineup will be bolstered by the inclusion of wings Ntokozo Makhaza and Banie Britz, alongside props Frankie dos Reis and Ben Pitout, all set to make their first appearances. Among them, Makhaza is particularly one to watch. Fresh off being crowned the 2025 Varsity Cup Player of the Season, he dazzled spectators by scoring two tries in the recent international fixture against Georgia. His performance there clearly left a mark, leading Steyn to comment on his valuable addition to the team.
"You can see there is something special about Makhaza, he is an awesome asset to have in our squad. The biggest thing for me is his mindset off the field. I’m very happy that we can have someone special like him here with us."
Despite the excitement surrounding the new players, the Cheetahs are not without their challenges. A string of injuries has sidelined a notable chunk of their potential selection. The casualty list includes Munier Hartzenberg (hamstring), George Lourens (forearm), Prince Nkabinde (thumb), Michael Annies (foot), Carl Wegner (hamstring), John Kelly Okonkwo (knee), Dux Manyama (hamstring), and Tielman Niewoudt (back), all of whom were not considered for selection due to their injuries.
The team that will take to the field against Boland will be led by Victor Sekekete, with Cohen Jasper at fullback and the promising Makhaza and Britz on the wings. Ethan Wentzel will direct the game from the fly-half position, supported by Rewan Kruger at scrum-half. The pack features a blend of experience and new blood, with the debutants complementing established players like Gideon van der Merwe and Pierre Uys.
The bench looks robust too, featuring the likes of Vernon Paulo, Cameron Dawson, and the energetic Clayton Blommetjies, ensuring that the Cheetahs have depth and options to alter the course of the game if needed. As they gear up for Sunday’s game, all eyes will be on how these new players adapt to the pressures of the Currie Cup and whether they can translate their promise into performance on a bigger stage.