The Cheetahs’ first game in the competition will be on 26 June when they tackle the Tafel Lager Griquas in Kimberley. The Peacock Bulls in their turn will entertain the Sharks during round one.

The Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, told OFM Sport that a first-round bye is not ideal.

“A bye in week one is not ideal, but if they give it to us, we will take it.

“We made a suggestion that it would be better to give it to the team playing in the final of the Rainbow Cup. It means that they will have to play with their sort of C team in the Currie Cup.

“There are a lot of difficult things to consider in compiling the fixtures.

“The South African teams that will play against the British & Irish Lions will also need to have a bye during the week before they play them because they will have to go into a bubble.

“So, there are a lot of difficulties.

“We will take it as it is and make the best of it. We are thankful that it’s a double-round.

“We’ve got to make it work. There will be difficult stretches for every team where they will play four games in two weeks.

“All of us will be tested. The depth in the squads will be tested, so it won’t be easy.”

The Cheetahs' first home game is on Wednesday, 30 June against the Bulls.

Meanwhile, the Cheetahs will face the EP Elephants on Saturday in a warm-up match in Bloemfontein. The Cheetahs were meant to face the Leopards in Potchefstroom, however, this game has been called off. Instead, the Cheetahs face the Elephants at 12:00 at the Toyota Stadium.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport