The Toyota Cheetahs will be desperate to bounce back on Sunday when they take on Black Lion in Bloemfontein in the second and final Toyota Challenge clash.
On Friday night, the Georgians pulled off a dramatic 39-38 win at the Toyota Stadium, stunning the Cheetahs and claiming their first-ever victory over a South African team – a result they’re calling historic.
For the Cheetahs, it was heartbreakingly close. Cohen Jasper’s last-minute conversion just missed, and a few extra feet to the left could have had the Free Staters celebrating instead.
Black Lion captain and Georgian international lock Mikheil Babunashvili said the win was well-earned.
“It was a physical South African team, so we prepared all week for that,” Babunashvili told Bloemfontein Courant.
“We stuck to our plan and fixed mistakes as they came. Our strategy was to kick contestables, play in the air, and put pressure on them – and I think we executed that well, despite a few tough moments.”
Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn says the team can’t make excuses – they simply need to improve.
“It’s a team sport, so I back the guys 100%. We had the chance to win, but we didn’t perform like we could. We need to take what we do in training and get it onto the field on game day,” Steyn told Bloemfontein Courant.
“Our defence, especially around the rucks and goal line, needs fixing. Whether it’s the training or game-day execution, I need to sort it out – we owe it to our players and fans.”
The final Toyota Challenge showdown kicks off at the Toyota Stadium on Sunday at 15:00, with a curtain-raiser between the Cheetahs Legends and Bulls Legends at 12:30. – MORGAN PIEK
