The Cheetahs Legends will face the Bulls Legends in a highly anticipated curtain-raiser that precedes the main Toyota Challenge fixture between the Cheetahs and Black Lion. Tsimba, a figure synonymous with the Free State rugby, where he played 97 games for the Cheetahs and amassed an incredible 1647 points, will be donning the colours of the Bulls Legends. 

Though his roots lie in Bloemfontein, the former Zimbabwean international also represented the Bulls in Pretoria for 25 matches, scoring 73 points. Currently, the 51-year-old is a coach within the Bulls’ professional setup.

Kennedy Tsimba. Photo: Gallo/ SA Rugby Mag

He is not the only former Cheetahs flyhalf in the Bulls camp - he joins Tian Schoeman and Louis Fouché, both of whom also represented the Bulls before plying their trade in Bloemfontein, where they played in the Currie Cup and then Guinness PRO14.

Other familiar faces crossing the divide include Corné Fourie and the Upington-born prop Bees Roux. 

While the Bulls squad also lists a Francois Uys, this is not the former Cheetahs captain and lock, who currently still serves as a player-coach in France.

Speaking to OFM Sport, Tsimba expressed his excitement about returning to his former “happy hunting ground” and reuniting with familiar faces.

“This coming Sunday is going to be a special return home for me, as that’s my field of dreams,” Tsimba said. “If I have to put it in that way, I can say ‘ek gaan huis toe’.

“It’s a ground that holds a lot of memories and a lot of good times for me. And this match is more than a match; it’s more of a celebration for the times that I’ve passed,” he explained.

Tian Schoeman. Photo: Morgan Piek

“It’s going to be good to connect with some good old former teammates and test out the ol’ hamstrings and the shoulders.”

Tsimba concluded with enthusiasm, stating the match will “set the tone for what’s going to be a good rugby day in Bloemfontein. So, yeah, it’s going to be lekker.”

The clash of the legends kicks off at 12:30 on Sunday. The main attraction, the second encounter between the Cheetahs and Black Lion in the Toyota Challenge, will follow at 15:00 at the Toyota Stadium.

Cheetahs Legends - Marnus Briedenham, Phillip Burger, Kobus Caldo, Danie Dames, Nelio de Sa, Christmas Dumazwene, Jean Drosté, Joubert Engelbrecht, JB Heckroodt, Izak Job, JW Jonker, Hendrik Meyer, Darren Nel, Falie Oelschig, Herman Pretorius, Sarel Pretorius, MJ Smith, Kevin Stevens, Ockie van Zyl, Ferdie Wesso

Bulls Legends - Pieter Botha, Sylvester Booysen, Franco Booysen, Deon de Kock, Delarey du Preez, Henk de Ridder, Corné Fourie, Louis Fouché, Gido Horn, Imille Keyser, Hannes Ludick, Nico Luus, John Mametsa, Mandla Mdaka, Juan Nel, Len Olivier, Birtie Powell, Francois Robertse, Bees Roux, Jacques Roux, Tian Schoeman, Kennedy Tsimba, Francois Uys, Louis van Biljon, Ian van Deventer, Rassie van Vuuren, Anton Vlok, Kobus Wiese

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh  mvh