The fixtures were announced on Thursday and the derby is set for the City of Roses on Sunday, 17 December. This will be the first time that the Cheetahs get to play in a true home fixture in the Challenge Cup, and they were their ‘home’ games in Parma last season.

The Cheetahs will play one game in Amsterdam when they tackle the French Top14 team, Section Paloise.

The Cheetahs first game against Zebre will be played in Parma, while the match against Oyonnax will be played in France.

The Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, told OFM Sport that they look forward to playing in the Netherlands

“It's great news for us - from the players, coaching staff and everyone else involved at the Cheetahs,” said Fourie.

“It was a nervous wait for us over the last couple of weeks, but the announcement was made and I feel that Amsterdam will suit us as well.

“The Netherlands soccer team also plays in orange, so they will be used to supporting a team in orange and we hope that the rugby fans there will come and support us as well. I think it will be a bit easier for us to play home games in Amsterdam. It will be easier with the language.

“They are trying to establish the game in the Netherlands and we will be able to help that process. We look forward to being back in the Challenge Cup.

“This year playing in the competition was special for us, especially being able to proceed to the round of 16. Next season we would like to go one or two better.

“I feel that it helped us immensely and we wouldn't have won the Currie Cup if it wasn't for our participation in the Challenge Cup. It forced us to make a huge step-up in our conditioning, our game and everything else we did. Even for us as the coaches we had to sharpen up and it was great for the whole team.

“It lifted us immensely and next season it will be the same. We all look forward to starting to prepare for that.”

The Cheetahs campaign opens on 9 December against Zebre, with this game at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi kicking off at 14:00.

Cheetahs ECPR Challenge Cup fixture:

9 December – Zebre vs. Cheetahs – Parma – 14:00

17 December – Cheetahs vs. Sharks – Bloemfontein – 15:00

14 January – Cheetahs vs. Section Paloise – Amsterdam – 15:00

20 January – Oyonnax vs. Cheetahs – Oyonnax – 16:15

Morgan Piek OFM Sport