It’s the day before their season opener, and early indications suggest it could be a tricky encounter for both teams, with rain forecast for Friday. However, this could work in the Cheetahs’ favour after they prepared for and played in European winter conditions in January.

The Cheetahs are expected to stick largely with the team that performed well against Racing 92 in Paris, even though they fell just short at the death.

The young Christiaan van der Westhuizen will start at scrumhalf, while Ethan Wentzel will long-awaited return at flyhalf, and they form the starting halfback combination.

Wentzel excelled for the Cheetahs during the 2024 Currie Cup campaign, but featured very little last season due to injury. Meanwhile, the young Van der Westhuizen has had limited game time since joining the Cheetahs during his matric year from Grey College.

Van der Westhuizen impressed in the warm-up game against the Griffons, but the real test will come when they face Hawies Fourie’s Cavaliers on Friday.

Van der Westhuizen told OFM Sport every player wants an opportunity to play, and when it comes, it must be taken.

Ethan Wentzel. Photo: Morgan Piek

“It’s been a good pre-season so far, and I think the guys are really looking forward to the start of the competition,” said the former South African Schools rugby union team scrumhalf.

“Obviously, I’m looking forward to it as well. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on the field, so I’m excited to get back out there. The boys are eager, and we’re all looking forward to the weekend.

“The nice thing about this pre-season is that everyone knows when they get their opportunity, they have to give their best. That’s how you earn more chances and push for selection in the bigger competitions, so this SA Cup is very important for us.”

Van der Westhuizen added Boland will be a tough assignment first up, but it will also be a good measure of their progress. He said the team is eager to set the record straight against the visitors from Wellington.

“It’s not going to be an easy tournament, but for us it’s a chance to make a name for ourselves. There will definitely be challenges along the way, but I think we do have a bit of an advantage playing in Bloemfontein this year.

“Boland is one of the stronger teams in the competition, so playing them first gives us a good opportunity to show what we’re capable of. Hopefully, we can make a statement early and make sure other teams don’t underestimate us this season.

“It’s going to be tough, but we just have to stick together and pull through.”

Friday’s match between the Cheetahs and Boland at Toyota Stadium kicks off at 18:00.

Cheetahs - 15 Michael Annies, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 De-an Ackerman, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabine, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Christiaan van der Westhuizen, 8 Gideon van der Merwe, 7 Sisonke Vumazonke, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Curtley Thomas, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 1 Dux Manyama

Replacements - 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Tielman Nieuwoudt, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Neels Volschenk, 21 Jandré Nel, 22 Cohen Jasper, 23 Clayton Blommetjies

Boland - 15 Domenic Smit, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Lunathi Nxele, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Xavier Mitchell, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Thurlow Marsh, 7 Kwanda Dimaza, 6 Sauliegh Arendse, 5 Marlyn Williams, 4 Jeandre Leonard, 3 Dayan van der Westhuizen, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Dewald Maritz

Replacements - 16 Joshua Eras, 17 Mthokozisi Gumede, 18 Andrew Beerwinkel, 19 Michael Benadie, 20 Khwezi Mafu, 21 Chriswill September, 22 Erik Lambrecht, 23 Thurlon Williams

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek  sm