It’s hasn’t been a month yet since the Toyota Free State Cheetahs were crowned as the Currie Cup champions for the first time in nine years and the City of Roses is still buzzing.
The news for rugby lovers is set to get that much better for 2017.
Not only have the Cheetahs secured a services of the vast majority of their players for the upcoming Super Rugby campaign, but Test rugby could be making a long awaited return to Bloemfontein.
The region hasn’t seen a Test since Kurtley Beale scored a last minute penalty to hand the Wallabies a 31-29 victory over the Springboks in 2010.
Nothing has been confirmed yet, however, the next two years could possibly season the Toyota Stadium playing host to two Tests.
The Springboks are set to face the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship next year, while at this stage Newlands while in all likelihood be hosting the world champions, the All Blacks.
The Springboks and Australia have locked horns in Bloemfontein three time in the past, with the two other Tests played in 1969 and 1996.
In 1969 the men in green-and-gold beat the visitors from down under 19-8. Twenty-seven years later in the Boks beat Australia 25-19.
In 2018 the English are set to tour South Africa and the Springboks will in all probability entertain the world’s second ranked side in the Free State for just the third time.
In 2007 the Springboks thumped England 58-10, while back in 2000 the English reigned supreme with a 27-22 win.
The 2017 Rugby Championship fixtures are expected to be announced shortly
The Springboks and England go head-to-head on Saturday for the 39th time when they play at Twickenham in London.
South Africa leads the head-to-head battle 23-12. – MORGAN PIEK
