Verity-Amm has been named on the bench for the match, which the Cheetahs are taking seriously after their disappointing 39-38 loss last week, and for him, it’s also a return from injury.

Verity-Amm has had a very stop-start season after recovering from a long-term knee injury that kept him out of the game for more than a year. His most recent setback was a neck niggle that sidelined him since the latter stages of the Currie Cup.

James Verity-Amm. Photo: Morgan Piek

Speaking to OFM Sport at Saturday’s Captain’s Run at the stadium, the seasoned campaigner, Verity-Amm, said they are determined to bounce back after the upset in the first game, and it’s a matter of letting bygones be bygones.

“It’s like any other game, I guess, where we’re going in to win. That’s what we want to do. Obviously, it’s going to be a bit of a challenge after the loss last week. 

“There are a few things we need to clean up and fix. I think we’ve done really well this week. We’ve had a great week of training, and I think we’ve cleaned those things up. I think you’ll see that on Sunday.”

According to an insider at the Cheetahs, the narrow defeat was somewhat of a blessing in disguise as it allowed a lot of little things to fall into place during the week’s training.

“Well, good question – I think, like I said, we’re just going to stick to our processes this week. Unfortunately, we obviously lost that game last week, but there were a lot of good things to take out of it.

“It’s still early in our season now, having just come into the pre-season – no excuses, obviously – but like I said, we’ll just work on what we needed to from last week and push through from this game.”

James Verity-Amm. Photo: Morgan Piek

On finally getting a run again after a frustrating year, Verity-Amm said he’s always eager to play when selected, and he’s super excited to take to the field.

“I’m always itching to play, I love the game, so hopefully I can stay injury-free. It’s been a bit frustrating getting going, playing, like you said, two or three games, and then being out again, and then playing another two or three games and being out again. As long as I can stay on the field, I’ll be very happy,” he said.

“I think every single time you train or play is an opportunity to put your hand up and get yourself on that plane. I don’t think it’s a trial match as such, but at the same time, every single game you can either play yourself in or out, depending on your performance and attitude towards that game or training session.”

James Verity-Amm. Photo: Morgan Piek

“So there are no easy games. No easy rides, you have to work for it.”

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