Rugby
Cheetahs target more clinical performance against Province─── MORGAN PIEK 08:33 Tue, 12 Aug 2025

The Toyota Cheetahs captain, Victor Sekekete, believes his team can only improve following their hard-fought 7-5 win over the Sharks in Clermont during the third round of the Currie Cup.
Over the weekend, the Cheetahs had to dig deep for victory against a young and determined Sharks side chasing their first win of the 2025 competition. While the Cheetahs dominated both possession and territory, they let themselves down in the red zone, failing to convert opportunities inside the Sharks’ 22 into points.
This will be a key focus in the build-up to what is a must-win clash at home in Bloemfontein against the winless Western Province. Much like the Sharks game, this weekend’s fixture could be another potential banana peel for the 2023 champions.
It’s expected that the Cheetahs will field a stronger side this week. It remains to be seen whether Namibian international flyhalf Tiaan Swanepoel has fully recovered from a groin niggle – although he was running during Monday’s training session. If declared fit, he will likely slot back into the number 10 jersey.
There will also be interest in whether young lock Juan Venter gets another run after making his debut against the Sharks. The Shimlas lock was one of the Cheetahs’ few standout performers and walked away with the team’s man-of-the-match award, although he missed Monday’s training as he was writing exams.
Junior Springbok lock Arno van der Merwe, who debuted last year fresh out of matric in an SA Cup match against the Pumas, could also come into contention.
Arno van der Merwe. Photo: Morgan Piek
The depth in the second row is a bit thin at the Cheetahs at the moment, with Carl Wegner and Pieter Jansen van Vuren both still recovering from injuries, while Pierre Uys is undergoing his concussion protocol.
While acknowledging that the Cheetahs fell short in certain aspects against the Sharks, Sekekete told OFM Sport that it was the type of challenge they needed.
“Credit to the Sharks defensively – they came at us. Four points away from home, with the next three games at home, was very important for us,” Sekekete said.
Gideon van der Merwe. Photo: Morgan Piek
“It was a good day, but it was very tough. It’s been a while since we’ve had such a hard game in the Currie Cup. Credit to the Sharks – their defence tested us well, and I think that’s set the platform for our next games. These three home matches will be vital for us, and we need to make sure we come out on top in all of them.”
Saturday’s match between the Cheetahs and Western Province at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 14:00.