Two new faces reported for duty at the Toyota Cheetahs Wednesday as they continue to prepare for their second campaign in the EPCR Challenge Cup.

The former Pumas centre, Ali Mgijima, started his second tenure at the Cheetahs after spending the past three seasons in the Lowveld.

During the 2023 Currie Cup final which the Cheetahs won 25-17, Mgijima scored the Pumas only try.

In 2022 he broke Cheetahs hearts by scoring the winning try in the semi-final in Bloemfontein which knocked the Free State out of the Currie Cup.

In addition, the new hooker, Vernon Paulo, has joined from the North West University Eagles. Paulo scored a brace of tries for the Eagles during the Varsity Cup final earlier in the year.

Meanwhile, the Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, told OFM Sport that preparations for Europe are going well.

“Our preparations for the EPCR Challenge Cup are going well,” said Fourie.

“The guys have been back on the field for two weeks now and we are working really hard in the gym on our conditioning. We know that we have to be a bit stronger when we compete in the Northern Hemisphere in their conditions. It's a setpiece orientated game because the wet and muddy fields due to the rain.

“We are preparing well for that - Izak van der Westhuizen is doing a great job with the forwards, Charl Strydom is working hard on the defence and my job is to improve on our attack.

“We are working on a few things to improve on that, especially on our attack off the flyhalf.”

The Cheetahs first match in the EPCR Challenge Cup will be on 9 December when they face Zebre in Parma.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport