SA Cup opens door for new Lukhanyo Am

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: The SA Cup is an ideal opportunity for young South African rugby players to make a name for themselves, believes Springbok legend Frans Steyn.

The SA Cup was established in 2024 to fill an important gap between the pre-season and the start of the Currie Cup.

The SA Cup features 10 provincial sides – excluding the four United Rugby Championship franchises – the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers.

The SA Cup is scheduled to kick off this weekend and will conclude with the semifinals (May 17) and final (May 24).

At the end of the SA Cup, the top 4 will be promoted to the Currie Cup and compete with the four URC franchises later this year.

With the URC franchises absent, there has not been a lot of fanfare surrounding the competition.

However, that certainly does not nullify the intensity of the tournament.

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This weekend, Cheetahs will take on Boland in Round One of the SA Cup in Wellington.

Springbok legend and current Cheetahs head coach Frans Steyn said the competition will serve as an ideal opportunity for young players to put up their hands in their pursuit of a Currie Cup spot.

“This is an important opportunity for our young players to test themselves and see where we stand as a team.

“It is also a chance for the leaders to step up and take control in high-pressure situations,” Steyn said.

“The SA Cup holds great significance for us, as securing qualification for the Currie Cup remains a key objective. The players’ future is in their own hands, and their performance will determine our success.”

Only six of the players who started for the Cheetahs in their last Challenge Cup clash against Perpignan are in the XV.

One of the young players that would want to make his mark is Reagan Oranje.

The 28-year-old was selected at outside centre for the upcoming opener.

Oranje has played scrumhalf and wing since his arrival from Griquas.

When asked about Oranje’s selection unfamiliar selection at outside centre, Steyn said: “He’s big and strong.

“He’s fast and communicates on defence.

“He has never made a wrong decision in our [training] drills.

“Here and there are small things, but it doesn’t bother me, he looks good [at outside centre].

“Maybe Raegan is the next Lukhanyo Am, how do we know?”

The following players are not eligible for team selection due to injury: Cameron Dawson (calf), James Verity-Amm (knee), Gideon van der Merwe (ankle), Robert Hunt (calf), Oupa Mohoje (shoulder), Michael Annies (hamstring), Ethan Wentzel (back), Andell Loubser (hamstring), Marco JV Vuren (calf), Ali Mgijima (shoulder), Munier Hartzenberg (hamstring)

Ruben de Haas is on load to Nola Gold in USA.

Cheetahs: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Raegan Oranje, 12 Jooste Nel, 11 Litha Nkula, 10 George Lourens, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Neels Volschenk, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Hencus van Wyk.
Replaceemnts: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Dux Manyana, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Jandré Nel, 23 Banie Britz.