The Toyota Cheetahs are excited at the prospect of taking on Black Lion next week during the Toyota Challenge in Bloemfontein.
For both sides, the two matches will serve as valuable preparation ahead of the upcoming EPCR Challenge Cup, and there’s little doubt that their encounters will be anything but friendly.
Earlier this year, the Georgian national team faced the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in a celebration match that the home side won 24–20. Many of those Lelos players will now turn out for Black Lion. While the team may not be as strong as the national outfit – with several Georgian internationals plying their trade in France’s Top 14 – it still promises to be a solid test for the Cheetahs, who have ambitions of their own this season.
In that earlier clash against Georgia, winger Ntokozo Makhaza made his official debut for the Cheetahs after getting a run for the team in a warm-up game against the eventual Currie Cup champions, the Suzuki Griquas, in Bultfontein.
Makhaza scored a brace of tries for the Cheetahs but, unfortunately, missed most of the Currie Cup campaign due to an ankle injury. He was one of several key players sidelined at the time, including Carl Wegner, George Lourens, Tiaan Swanepoel, and Ethan Wentzel, among others.
The fleet-footed Makhaza told Bloemfontein Courant that the team is looking forward to the challenge that awaits – and for him personally, facing Black Lion holds a special meaning.
“In terms of Black Lion, I think it’ll be great preparation for us heading into the EPCR Challenge Cup. We have clear objectives for these games, and the main goal is to stick to our game plan and keep improving,” said the former UCT Ikeys star.
“It’s a Georgian side, which brings back good memories since I made my debut against Georgia. But from a team perspective, our focus is really on perfecting our own game – the Cheetahs’ brand of rugby.
“We just want to make sure that when we get to the EPCR Challenge Cup, we’re fully prepared. There’s only about a month and a half to go before it starts.
“On a personal level, I’m excited to get out there again, to show what I can do, and I’ll keep working hard to make sure I earn my spot in the team.”
Next Friday’s opening match at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 18:00. – MORGAN PIEK
