The Cheetahs departed for France on Monday night for their debut campaign in the tournament, and it will also be the team's first match abroad since March 2020.

The Cheetahs face Section Paloise in Pau this weekend and the Scarlets of Wales in Parma, Italy, the following week.

The Cheetahs' captain, Victor Sekekete, told OFM Sport that they are ready and up for the challenge.

"The players are very excited about it and as the coach said, we have been waiting for this opportunity for two years," said the in-form lock.

"It’s a thing of - this is happening right now. The excitement has been and still is in the camp.

"Going forward, the boys are very excited and look forward to the opportunity. We are ready for it."

The Cheetahs will be arriving in France late on Tuesday afternoon and they will have just a couple of training sessions in order to acclimate.

Saturday’s game between Pau and the Cheetahs kicks off at 15:00.

Cheetahs tour group:

Forwards - Rynier Bernardo, Aranos Coetzee, Marné Coetzee, Schalk Ferreira, Marko Janse van Rensburg, Daniel Maartens, Mzamo Majola, Oupa Mohoje, Friedle Olivier, Sibabalo Qoma, Jeandré Rudolph, Victor Sekekete (captain), Marnus van der Merwe, Louis van der Westhuizen, Hencus van Wyk, Mzwanele Zito.

Backs - David Brits, Robert Ebersohn, Reinhardt Fortuin, Munier Hartzenberg, Cohen Jasper, Daniel Kasende, Rewan Kruger, Tapiwa Mafura, Siya Masuku, Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport