Rugby | EPCR Challenge Cup Round 4 – Toyota Cheetahs Team Announcement
After a victory over Zebre Parma on Sunday, the Toyota Cheetahs travel to France to face Lyon Olympique Universitaire in Round 4 of the EPCR Challenge Cup.

Saturday's match kicks off at 18:30 (19:30 SA time) at Matmut Stadium de Gerland in Lyon and will be live on SuperSport.
Lyon played in the Investec Championship last year and is a strong side and has proven to be tough ground for South African teams.
"If we stick to our game plan and execute well, we'll be in the mix," said Toyota Cheetahs hooker Louis van der Westhuizen. "We need to be physical, keep our focus, and limit our mistakes."
"We have had many injuries since the campaign's start, but I believe in this team and their ability and willingness to fight until the last minute." Said coach Izak van der Westhuizen.
There are three changes to the team. Ethan Wentzel (shoulder) and Michael Annies (hamstring) returned home due to injury. Franco Smith and Cohen Jasper replace them. Neels Volschenk is on the bench.
Toyota Cheetahs
15. Cohen Jasper
14. Munier Hartzenberg
13. Carel-Jan Coetzee
12. Ali Mgijima
11. Prince Nkabinde
10. Franco Smith
9. Ruben de Haas
8. Jeandré Rudolph
7. Friedle Olivier
6. Daniel Maartens
5. Victor Sekekete (C )
4. Pieter Janse van Vuren
3. Aranos Coetzee
2. Louis van der Westhuizen
1. Hencus van Wyk
16. Vernon Paulo
17. Corne Fourie
18. Laurence Victor
19. Pierre-Raymond Uys
20. Sisonke Vumazonke
21. Neels Volschenk
22. Jandrè Nel
23. Litha Nkula
Match officials: The referee for the match is Sara Cox. She will be assisted by Harry Walbaum and Gareth Holsgrove. Dan Jones is the TMO.
Players not available for selection due to injury: Cameron Dawson (calf), James Verity-Amm (knee), Gideon van der Merwe (ankle), Robert Hunt (calf), Banele Mthenjane (hamstring), Carl Wegner (finger), Oupa Mohoje (shoulder), Schalk Ferreira (hamstring), Michael Annies (hamstring) and Ethan Wentzel (shoulder).
Format - At A Glance
- The four highest-ranked clubs in each EPCR Challenge Cup Pool and the fifth-ranked clubs from each of the four Investec Champions Cup Pools will qualify for the Round of 16.
- All clubs will be ranked in descending order based firstly on their ranking in their Pool and subsequently on the number of match points they have accumulated to create an overall ranking from 1 to 16.
- The pool winners will be ranked 1 to 3, the second-placed clubs will be ranked 4 to 6, the two highest-ranked third-placed clubs will be ranked 7 and 8.
- Clubs ranked 1 to 8 will have home advantage in the Round of 16.
- The qualifying Investec Champions Cup clubs will be ranked 9 to 12, the remaining third-placed club will be ranked 13, and the fourth-placed clubs will be ranked 14 to 16.
- See the full rules here.
With our EPCR Challenge Cup campaign underway, don't miss the chance to get the best seats in the house for the Finals weekend in Cardiff, 23rd & 24th May 2025.
Returning to Cardiff, the city where it all began 30 seasons ago, the weekend will be an unmissable spectacle showcasing the pinnacle of international club rugby.
Grab your tickets now for Rugby's Greatest Weekend.
Make the most of your experience in Wales' rugby heartland with a weekend break and leave all the planning to Destination Champions Club - a first-class package of tickets, a great range of hotels to choose from and amazing experiences available now just for you (click here)
Make it your greatest weekend of rugby ever.
Which games are marked in your diary? 👀
Don't miss any of our fixtures this season! Now you can sync any Investec Champions Cup or EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures to your calendar automatically here:
Investec Champions Cup : https://epcr.ecal.com/investec-champions-cup
EPCR Challenge Cup : https://epcr.ecal.com/european-challenge-cup