Georgian Test lock Mikheil Babunashvili will captain the side, while winger Shalva Aptsiauri – who scored a brace of tries against the Cheetahs in July – also starts in the run-on XV.

The team’s objectives are two-fold: to prepare for the upcoming EPCR Challenge Cup, and to give their international players valuable game time ahead of the November Tests against the USA, Canada, and Japan.

Richard Cockerill. Photo: Morgan Piek

In July, head coach Richard Cockerill was in Bloemfontein with the Georgian national team, who went down 24–20 to the Cheetahs ahead of their Test against the Springboks.

Cockerill told OFM Sport that it’s great to be back in Bloemfontein and that the match presents a huge opportunity for his team – especially the younger players – to experience South African rugby in one of the sport’s true heartlands.

“Look, it’s one of the heartlands of South African rugby. I know the Cheetahs have been excluded a little bit because of Super Rugby and the URC,” said the former England international.

“We enjoyed it here with the national team. I’ve also been here with Edinburgh previously in the PRO14. As you can see, the weather’s amazing. The Cheetahs are a good, well-run team, and it’s a great experience for some of our younger Georgian players to come here and play against a big, physical side.

“It’ll just deepen the experience for those who haven’t been here before.”

Cockerill added that with the European competitions and Autumn internationals fast approaching, there’s no better environment for his players to sharpen their skills.

“The European stuff is really important for both teams. Obviously, the Cheetahs are a bit like ourselves,” the former Leicester Tigers hooker and coach explained.

The Cheetahs vs Georgia in July. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We’re trying to find our place in world rugby – where we can compete in a meaningful competition on a week-to-week basis.

“The Challenge Cup will be vital for us. We’ve got a few players here who’ll be in the Test squad, so they’ll get valuable game time leading into the November Tests against the USA, Canada, and Japan.

“This is an important run of matches for us – experience for the younger guys and meaningful minutes for the senior players heading into the first Test against the USA.”

Cockerill concluded by noting that, unlike in South Africa, where rugby is played from a young age, every bit of experience counts for Georgia’s developing players.

“Game management is key. We’re quite a young rugby nation - our players don’t grow up with a rugby ball in hand from a young age. Many only start playing in their early teens.

“We know we’re physically strong – Georgians excel at combat sports, weightlifting, and fighting – but we need to make better decisions within the context of the game.

“The only way to learn that is by playing against quality opposition. If we make mistakes, the Cheetahs will punish us – but that’s exactly how we’ll grow and improve.”

Friday night’s eagerly anticipated clash between the Cheetahs and Black Lion at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 18:00.

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