Minimal changes for Cheetahs with Challenge Cup opener looming
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs will conclude their Toyota Challenge campaign in Tbilisi when they face Black Lion on Sunday, October 4 at Avchala Rugby Stadium.
The Toyota Cheetahs arrive at their final match of the away series with one win and one narrow defeat from their opening two encounters.
They defeated Lusitanos 38-26 in their first match before going down 22-19 to Iberians in a closely contested encounter.
Sunday’s match against Black Lion will be the fourth meeting between the two sides in the Toyota Challenge.
The Toyota Cheetahs currently hold a 2-1 advantage in the head-to-head record.
Their first encounter, in October 2025, produced a dramatic finish at Toyota Stadium, with Black Lion claiming a 39-38 victory after the Cheetahs missed a conversion at the end.
The Cheetahs responded nine days later with a convincing 24-5 victory to level the series.
The teams met again in June this year, when the Cheetahs produced a strong second-half performance to beat Black Lion 47-32 at Toyota Stadium.
The visitors led 17-7 at halftime before the Cheetahs turned the match around after the break.
The final match of the tour gives the Cheetahs another opportunity to gain valuable playing minutes, while testing themselves against Black Lion on Georgian soil.
The tour has also given young players in the squad and those returning from injury important competitive exposure.
Cheetahs head coach Frans Steyn said: “The focus is primarily on match fitness and allowing players to get valuable game time, particularly those returning from injury.
“It is important that we get them back to their competitive best.”
“These matches are vital for us to assess where we are as a squad and to measure our squad depth.
“Every player will have an opportunity to put their hands up, while we continue preparing for the important EPCR Challenge Cup matches that lie ahead.”
Cheetahs: 15 Ethan Wentzel, 14 Litha Nkula, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Shaun Ray, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 10 Tiaan Swanepoel, 9 Erich Visser, 8 Sisonke Vumazonke, 7 Arno van der Merwe, 6 Siya Ningiza, 5 Aidon Davis, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Ben Pitout, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen (captain), 1 Dux Manyama
Replacements: 16 Juandre Schoeman, 17 Tebogo Nkosi, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Juan Venter, 20 Mihlali Mosi, 21 Jandrè Nel, 22 Duncan Basson, 23 Daniel Maartens
Date: Sunday, October 4
Venue: Avchala Stadium, Tbilisi
Kick-off: 20.00 GET (18.00 SAST; 16.00 GMT)
Referee: TBC
Assistant referees: TBC
TMO: TBC
Catch up on the full match replay of the Wallabies vs Springboks Test from Perth!
Watch now on RugbyPass TV (US only)
