The Toyota Free State Cheetahs will be playing a total of 10 home games and 11 away matches during their inaugural season in the Guinness Pro14.
The competition was officially launched in Cape Town on Friday and had the who’s who of Celtic Rugby in attendance.
The former Welsh international winger and five-time British and Irish Lion, Gerald Davies, who is now the chairman of the Pro14, said the inclusion of two South African teams is a wonderful moment for world rugby.
“There are sceptics out there, as well all know, as something new and revolutionary as this comes about.
“We are going to prove that this is a wonderful competition, not only in the sense of the competition itself or the winning or losing, but that it is also a culturally important factor in that we are coming together in north and south to play in this competition.”
The Leinster and Ireland outside centre, Garry Ringrose, is tipped to be the next Brian O’Driscoll. The young midfielder believes that the Cheetahs will add tremendous value. He told Courant that he used to watch the Super Rugby, and the Pro14 will be a perfect match for the Cheetahs.
“Personally I used to get up early in the morning and watch the Super Rugby because it was on the local television. The attacking style that both the Cheetahs and Kings play is very impressive.
“It will certainly suit the Pro14 and will be a though a challenge to all the clubs.”
The Cheetahs and the Southern Kings will go head to head in three derbies, with two played in Port Elizabeth and one in Bloemfontein.
Toyota Cheetahs Fixtures:
1 September 2017 – Ulster v Cheetahs – Kingspan – 19:35
9 September 2017 – Munster v Cheetahs – Thomond Park – 17:15
17 September 2017 – Cheetahs v Zebre – Toyota Stadium – 14:30
22 September 2017 – Cheetahs v Leinster – Toyota Stadium 20:00
30 September 2017 – Cheetahs vs Ospreys – TBC *
6 October 2017 – Cheetahs v Glasgow Warriors – Toyota Stadium – 20:35
28 October 2017 – Zebre v Cheetahs – Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi – 20:00
4 November 2017 – Connacht v Cheetahs – Sportsground – 19:35
24 November 2017 – Cheetahs v Edinburgh – Toyota Stadium – 19:30
2 December 2017 – Cheetahs v Scarlets – Toyota Stadium – 19:30
6 January 2018 – Benneton Treviso v Cheetahs – Stadio Monigo – 19:30
13 January 2018 – Southern Kings v Cheetahs – Nelson Mandela Bay – Stadium – 17:00
20 January 2018 – Cheetahs v Southern Kings – Toyota Stadium – 17:00
9-11 February 2018 – Cardiff Blues v Cheetahs – Cardiff Arms Park
16-18 February 2018 – Glasgow Warriors v Cheetahs – Scotstoun Stadium
23-25 February 2018 – Ospreys v Cheetahs – Liberty Stadium
2-4 March 2018 – Cheetahs v Connacht – Toyota Stadium
23-25 March 2018 – Dragons v Cheetahs – Rodney Parade
6-8 April 2018 – Cheetahs v Cardiff Blues – Toyota Stadium
13-15 April 2018 – Cheetahs v Munster – Toyota Stadium
27-29 April 2018 – Southern Kings v Cheetahs – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
* The match between the Cheetahs and Ospreys on 30 September is expected to be a curtain raiser for the Test between the Springboks and Wallabies and Bloemfontein. The Free State Rugby Union are in the process of securing permission to play this match at the Toyota Stadium. In normal circumstances a field designated for a Test does not get used for at least a week before the match. – MORGAN PIEK
