On Thursday the fixtures were announced and Cheetahs will start with the away fixture, while in round two they will tackle the Sharks in Bloemfontein in a South African derby.

The Zebre centre, Franco Smith Jr, plays for the Italian club and he practically grew up at the Toyota Stadium, with his dad being the former Cheetahs coach and Springbok, Franco Smith.

Smith junior, who was born in Wales, developed his game in Bloemfontein where he attended Grey College and played for the rugby factories 1st XV. He represented the Free State at junior level at the Grant Khomo and Craven Weeks, while also playing at U21 level for the Cheetahs.

Franco Jr told OFM Sport that he would love to play against the Cheetahs.

“It's a very interesting situation for me to potentially play against the Cheetahs during the Challenge Cup this season,” said Smith.

“I'm very happy for the Cheetahs and they were a big part of my junior career. As a young player I used to play in Grant Khomo and Craven Weeks for the Cheetahs, and after school I signed for two junior years there. I managed play for their U21's, which was an amazing experience and I will always give credit to the Cheetahs for having laid my groundwork as a rugby player and having taught me the basic skills to become a professional and overall well-rounded rugby player.

“I'm very excited. I know what type of team the Cheetahs are and what they represent. It's always special to know where you've come from. Looking back, it will be very interesting to possibly be playing against that team in the near future.

“It's gone to be fun I believe and I'm excited myself to have the Cheetahs in our pool.”

Smith's younger brother, Jean, is currently representing the Junior Springboks, at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Cape Town. He is contracted to the Sharks after signing for the union straight out of school.

The Cheetahs will tackle Zebre on 9 December at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma, with this game kicking off at 14:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport