Rugby
Steyn backs returning star as Cheetahs face Boland─── MORGAN PIEK 13:45 Fri, 25 Jul 2025
The Toyota Cheetahs are thrilled to have flyhalf Ethan Wentzel back for Sunday’s Currie Cup first-round clash against the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington.
The young backline marshal recently returned to action after a lengthy injury layoff of more than six months, and he will start against Boland.
Wentzel made his return during the warm-up match against the Suzuki Griquas in Bultfontein, after the in-form George Lourens suffered a fractured arm early in the game.
Ethan Wentzel - Morgan Piek
Wentzel, one of the standout performers in the 2024 Currie Cup, also started in the 24–20 victory over Georgia in Bloemfontein a fortnight ago. While he is still working his way back to full form, he made a meaningful contribution and played a key role in setting up the second try.
Boland will be a tough test for Wentzel, but he will have experienced campaigners Rewan Kruger and Ali Mgijima on his left and right respectively.
Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn told OFM Sport that it’s important to have Wentzel back in the mix. “It’s good to have him back,” said Steyn.
“He can be a bit hard on himself at times, but he’s slowly getting there. Like you said, he hasn’t played for quite a while.
“We back him – and I’ll back anyone in this group this year. I think we’ve got an awesome bunch of players. Like I said before, there’s still a lot to work on, but I’m happy with everyone here.
Ethan Wentzel. Photo: Morgan Piek
“If we keep having each other’s backs, I think some exciting things are on the way.”
Sunday’s match between the Cavaliers and the Cheetahs at Boland Stadium kicks off at 15:00.
Boland - 15 James Tedder, 14 Marcqiewn Titus, 13 David Brits, 12 Lunathi Nxele, 11 Donavan Don, 10 Ashlon Davids, 9 Chriswill September, 8 Sibusiso Sangweni, 7 Khwezi Mafu, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Marlyn Williams (captain), 4 Michael Benadie, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Wayrin Losper
Replacements - 16 HP van Schoor, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Ameer Hendricks, 20 Thurlow Marsh, 21 Godlen Masimla, 22 Juan Mostert, 23 Xavier Mitchell
Cheetahs - 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Ntokozo Makhaza, 13 Marko Jansen van Vuren, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Banie Britz, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Marco Janse van Rensburg, 1 Hencus van Wyk
Replacements - 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Ben Pitout, 19 Sisonke Vumazonke, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Jandré Nel, 22 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 23 Clayton Blommetjies
