The Boland Cavaliers are expecting a physical battle upfront when they face the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday evening in the SA Cup.

The Cavaliers play the first division and this evening’s clash against the Currie Cup champions will be a proper test in many aspects of the game.

The match will also be their new coach, Hawies Fourie’s first in charge of the team following his recent departure from the Cheetahs.

Fourie is however no stranger to Boland rugby as he represented the union as a player, and he also started his coaching career with them.

Fourie, who knows the Cheetahs like the back of his hand, told OFM Sport that they welcome the challenge.

“It will be a good test for us, but we've prepared well,” said Fourie.

“We've played a few friendly games during the last month or two. We've played against some of the varsity teams and we also played against SWD and the Griquas in Saldanha.

“The preparations have gone well, but I know it's not going to be easy. However, the team is motivated and they are looking forward to the challenge.”

Fourie added that while it is going to be tough to deal with the physicality of the Cheetahs, playing in the SA Cup is a good opportunity to measure themselves against the team that won the Currie Cup last year.

“It's going to be a tough ask for us, especially with the physicality that Cheetahs have in their pack of forwards. It will be something different for the Boland players to face because they've played in the B division for many years and they are not used to playing at a top level.

“This SA Cup will give us an opportunity to play against teams like the Cheetahs, Griquas, Pumas and the Griffons.”

Friday night’s game at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 18:00.

Cheetahs - 15 Litha Nkula, 14 S'bu Nkosi, 13 Andell Loubser, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Siba Xamlashe, 10 George Lourens, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Friedle Olivier, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Carl Wegner (captain), Mzwanele Zito, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Cameron Dawson

Replacements - 16 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Thabang Mahlasi, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Abner van Reenen, 23 James Verity-Amm

Boland - 15 Ashlon Davids, 14 Riaan Louw, 13 Xavier Mitchell, 12 Jurick Lewis, 11 Cornell Engelbrecht, 10 Darian Hock, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Thurlow Marsh (captain), 7 Emile Booysen, 6 Sauleigh Arendse, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Schalk Oelofse, 3 Nicolas Duhwa, 2 Emile Booysen, 1 Andrew Beerwinkel

Replacements - 16 Sydney Tobias, 17 Gerrit Bester, 18 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 19 Carl Truter, 20 Taine-Randall Booysen, 21 Gift Dlamini, 22 Bentley Geldenhuys, 23 Garth April

Morgan Piek OFM Sport