It will be a tough assignment first up for the Cheetahs, who head into the tournament without any official warm-up games under their belt. However, they did recently get valuable minutes against Lusitanos of Portugal, Romania A, and Black Lion of Georgia during the Toyota Challenge.

There have been several changes to the squad since then, with a few players departing the union, while some exciting new additions have arrived to strengthen the group. Among them are Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, Henry Immelmann and Simon Miller.

Faf de Klerk will add a lot of experience and value to the Cheetahs backline. Photo: Morgan Piek

De Klerk could be in line to make his Cheetahs debut against his former team, the Lions. Interestingly, the two-time Rugby World Cup winner made his Lions debut against the Cheetahs back in 2014 after joining the Johannesburg-based side from the Pumas.

With the return leg of the Toyota Challenge in Georgia, as well as the EPCR Challenge Cup still to come later in the season, the Currie Cup remains a major focus for the Cheetahs. The Bloemfontein side will also be determined to go a step further after reaching the semi-finals in each of the past two campaigns.

The last time the Cheetahs faced the Lions, they produced a strong performance to claim a 47–31 victory in Bloemfontein last year, although the Lions went on to host the final in Johannesburg.

The Cheetahs have quietly gone about their business during the pre-season, and head coach Frans Steyn told OFM Sport the goal is simple – they want to go through the competition unbeaten.

“We need to start well – there is no time to cruise into it, so we need to be at our best from the beginning until the end,” said Steyn.

“Pine (Ruan Pienaar) said he wants to go unbeaten, and we want to go unbeaten, so that’s how it is. But it’s going to be tough. If you look at the names they have in their squads as well, they are good rugby players.

Rewan Kruger has been the Cheetahs go-to guy in the nine jersey of late. Photo: Morgan Piek

“We’re looking forward to the Currie Cup, and it’s going to be a competitive one. Hopefully we can play a good brand of rugby – a good brand of winning rugby in the Currie Cup.”

One of the more interesting selection battles will be at scrumhalf, where the Cheetahs now have no fewer than six options following the arrival of De Klerk. The Springbok is expected to be the first-choice number nine, and there is good reason for that given his experience and pedigree.

However, Rewan Kruger has been outstanding and continues to grow as a player, while Smiley Nel, Erich Visser, Marco Janse van Vuren, and Christiaan van der Westhuizen are all capable options in the position.

Faf de Klerk and Frans Steyn discussing tactics. Photo: Morgan Piek

The added depth will allow the Cheetahs to rotate more during a demanding few months of rugby, but Steyn admitted they won’t be able to keep six scrumhalves on their books indefinitely, and tough decisions will have to be made in the future.

“Everyone is going to get an opportunity, and then if you use it, you use it,” said Steyn.

“Look, all of them are great guys and great human beings, but they need to take their chance. We can’t have five scrumhalves for four years or whatever. There are going to be tough decisions that will have to be made somewhere along the line, and it’s going to be open and honest. We’ll have to take it from there.

Faf de Klerk in training at Old Greys. Photo: Morgan Piek

“I think rugby is more physical these days, and you saw what happened to us against the Valke in the SA Cup – it was just too much.

“Hopefully we can get into a nice rotation system where we give guys opportunities and guys rest. There is a lot of rugby that’s going to be played over the next couple of months.

“We’ve got the Currie Cup, then we’ve got the away leg of the Toyota Challenge, so we need to keep everybody fresh and we need to keep everybody on the field. That’s more important than everything.”

The Cheetahs’ opening Currie Cup clash against the Lions at the Toyota Stadium kicks off at 13:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm