George Cronjé and Jan-Hendrik Wessels who are both considered to be Grey College legends will be playing against each other for the first time in the world’s oldest domestic rugby competition.

Cronjé, who captained Grey College in their highly successful and unbeaten 2019 campaign, and Wessels who is was one of the most feared schoolboy rugby players in recent times, both get to debut at just 19-years-old.

They played together for years in Grey’s 1st XV, Free State Craven Week, SA Schools and for ASM Clermont Auvergne, before splitting up for the first time with Cronjé at the Free State, and Wessels being at the Bulls.

Both have been named on the bench for Saturday’s encounter. While they aren’t direct opponents as Cronjé is a loose-forward and Wessels a front-rower, they are both eager to play against each other for a change.

Cronjé told OFM Sport making his Currie Cup debut will be extra special this weekend.

“I'm very excited and I can't wait. It's only just a privilege being here.

“In my wildest dreams, I never imagined being here and getting a chance of maybe being on the field.

“It makes its extra special playing against Jannas. He's a very good friend of mine. We went to France together and made plans about coming back.

“It's just a dream come true and I think that's a big opportunity for him too.

“I wish him all the best, but at the end of the day, one side has to win and we are always going back the Cheetahs. Hopefully, it goes well.”

Wessels in turn told OFM Sport that it will be exciting to take to the field against each other for a change.

“I don't think that George or I thought it would ever happen, or that we would debut against each other, or debut at the age of 19.

“It's a privilege and it will be nice to play against each other for a change.

“It’s going to be very exciting and we will see what happens. Let’s hope for the best.”

The other Old Grey's playing on Saturday are Carl Wegner, Frans Steyn, Jacques du Toit and William Small-Smith for the Cheetahs. David Kriel, Marcel van der Merwe and Corniel Els are playing for the Bulls.

Saturday’s match at Loftus Versfeld kicks off at 16:30.

Bulls - 15  Kurt-Lee Arendse, 14 David Kriel, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen (c), 7 Arno Botha, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Marcel van der Merwe, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.

Replacements - 16 Corniel Els, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Chris Smith, 23 Marnus Potgieter.

Toyota Free State Cheetahs - 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Rhyno Smith, 13 Howard Mnisi, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Victor Sekekete, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Carl Wegner (captain), 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 Khutha Mchunu, 2 Reinach Venter, 1 Boan Venter.

Replacements - 16 Jacques du Toit, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Chris Massyn, 20 George Cronjé, 21 Ruben de Haas, 22 Reinhardt Fortuin, 23 William Small-Smith.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport