The Cheetahs beat the Pumas 25-17 on Saturday at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein to win the coveted Currie Cup for a seventh time.

The Cheetahs are still waiting to hear if they will be playing in the ECPR Challenge Cup next season and the Currie Cup win will certainly enhance their chances.

However, the Cheetahs' coach, Hawies Fourie, confirmed that the Cheetahs will tackle the Western Force in four matches.

“We will be playing against the Western Force with two games in Bloemfontein and two in Perth,” said Fourie.

“That will be at the end of August and the beginning of September, where we will play in Bloemfontein, while at the end of September and the beginning of October we will play in Australia.

“We look forward to that and it will be great to measure ourselves against a Super Rugby team again. I watched the Super Rugby final at it's high-quality and we look forward to playing against the Force.

“I don't know when two invitees for the EPCR Challenge Cup will be announced, but we are holding thumbs that it will be the Cheetahs and that we will compete in the European Challenge Cup again in December and next year.”

Fourie added that the matches against the Perth-based team will most likely form their Toyota Challenge for this year.

“That will be part of the Toyota Challenge if I understand correctly. Because of it being a World Cup, it's difficult to get other teams in.

“I think the Toyota Challenge will be the games against the Force.”

An announcement on the Cheetahs' participation in the EPCR Challenge Cup is expected this week.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport