The Cheetahs had initially planned to field two different teams across the two games. However, after Friday’s 39-28 defeat to the Georgians, plans changed somewhat. The squad remains largely intact, but there have been a few rotations.

The loosehead prop, Tebogo Nkosi (20), is set to make his Cheetahs debut off the bench. The Junior Springbok is the only new player in the matchday 23.

Nicknamed “Beast” by his teammates for his striking resemblance to legendary Springbok loosehead Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira, Nkosi gets his first shot at the big leagues. 

Fittingly, Mtawarira earned his 100th Springbok cap in Bloemfontein against England back in 2018, when the Springboks won 23-12 to clinch the series – the first Rassie Erasmus won as Springbok coach.

Even more fittingly, Nkosi toured with the Junior Springboks to Georgia earlier this year and now gets to make his senior debut against a Georgian team. Unfortunately, Nkosi sustained an injury and missed out on the Junior Rugby World Championship in Italy, where the Springboks went on to win the title for a second time.

At Saturday’s captain’s run at the Toyota Stadium, Nkosi told OFM Sport he cannot wait to get a run on Sunday and finally make his senior debut after countless hours of hard work and setbacks.

“The excitement is beyond words, considering everything I’ve been through to get here,” said the Middelburg-born prop.

“Last year, I didn’t even think I’d be here at this time. But so many blessings have come my way this year, from being in the Junior Springbok squad to now, at 20 years old, making my debut for the club I signed for and the club that has my heart.”

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“I really feel grateful, more than anything. I’m blessed beyond what I can even imagine. It’s an exciting time for my career and a great opportunity to show who I am for my club and the coaches who backed me to make this game happen.”

With a big smile, Nkosi said after the heartbreak of missing out on the Junior World Cup, making his senior debut against Georgia makes it even more special.

“They were tough opponents when I was with the Junior Boks, so I’m expecting a lot of physicality. It will be a tough game, making my debut against them. Through injuries and setbacks, I missed the World Cup, but I bounced back, and now it’s my time to show what I can do.”

Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira at Shimla Park ahead of his 100th Test. Photo: Morgan Piek

On Sunday, the Cheetahs Legends will take on the Bulls Legends in the curtain-raiser at 12:30, before the main event at the Toyota Stadium, when the Cheetahs face Black Lion at 15:00.

Cheetahs - 15 Michael Annies, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Marco Janse van Vuren, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 10 Franco Smith, 9 Jandré Nel, 8 Sisonke Vumazonke, 7 Pierre Raymond Uys, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Juan Venter, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen (captain), 1 Tielman Niewoudt

Replacements - 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Tebogo Nkosi, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Arno van der Merwe, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Rewan Kruger, 22 Clayton Blommetjies, 23 James Verity-Amm

Black Lion - 15 Luka Takaishvili, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 13 Tornike Kakhoidze, 12 Lasha Malaguradze, 11 Otar Metreveli, 10 Luka Tsirekidze, 9 Tengiz Pranidze, 8 Giorgi Sinauridze, 7 Giorgi Tsutskiridze, 6 Sandro Mamamtavrishvili, 5 Demur Epremidze, 4 Mikheil Babunashvili (captain), 3 Kakhaber Darbaidze, 2 Irakli Kvatadze, 1 Dato Abdushelishvili

Replacements - 16 Shalva Mamukashvili, 17 Vasil Kokovin, 18 Giorgi Chkhartishvili, 19 Guga Ganiashvili, 20 Lasha Tsikhistavi, 21 Giorgi Kervalishvili, 22 Giorgi Spanderashvili, 23 Alexander Todua

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek