On a crisp winter night in Bloemfontein, the Toyota Cheetahs celebrated more than just a 24–20 win over Georgia — they marked a momentous 130th anniversary for the Free State Rugby Union in the best way possible: with grit, flair, and a healthy dose of local talent rising to the occasion.
Front and centre of the festivities was 24-year-old speedster Ntokozo Makhaza, who lit up the Toyota Stadium with a brace of tries on debut. The former UCT Ikey Tigers star, recently involved with the extended Springbok squad, announced himself in the professional ranks with the type of performance that turns heads.
It was a special occasion for the team and for Free State Rugby, and I’m just grateful I could contribute,” said Makhaza after the match. “To do it in front of a home crowd, on debut, with my teammates behind me — it doesn’t get much better.”
A Flying Start and a Strong First Half
The Cheetahs struck first blood midway through the opening half, and it was the youngster Makhaza who finished off a sweeping counter-attack initiated by left wing Banie Britz. Moments later, Britz got his own reward — this time latching onto a perfectly placed kick from flyhalf Ethan Wentzel to give the hosts a 14–0 lead.
Georgia responded just before the break through right wing Shalva Aptsiauri, who crossed the whitewash after a well-worked move that caught the Cheetahs defence napping.
At 14–7 heading into the sheds, the match was delicately poised, and the crowd in Bloemfontein knew they were in for a tight second stanza.
Georgia Fight Back, But Cheetahs Keep Their Nerve
The Lelos, preparing for their upcoming Test against the Springboks in Nelspruit, were not about to roll over. Aptsiauri struck again early in the second half, this time intercepting a wayward pass and racing 80 metres for a momentum-shifting try that levelled the match.
The Cheetahs regrouped, and it was fullback Cohen Jasper who edged them back into the lead with a penalty. But Georgia’s flyhalf Tedo Abzhandadze answered with two of his own to push the visitors 20–17 ahead.
Just when it seemed like the Georgians might snatch it, substitute fullback Clayton Blommetjies — known for his creativity and game awareness — unleashed a perfectly timed pass to Makhaza on the right wing. The youngster needed no second invitation, scorching down the touchline for what would be the decisive try of the match.
The space opened up, and when Clayton put me through, I just backed my pace,” Makhaza said. “It’s what we train for.”
History and Momentum
The result marked the Cheetahs’ 11th win in 32 matches against international opposition — a stat that underscores just how significant the victory was. But beyond the numbers, this was about belief, development, and legacy.
With the 2025 Currie Cup season on the horizon, this hard-fought win gives the Cheetahs both confidence and clarity about the talent they have in their ranks. The team blended experience with fresh faces, and the result was a display that felt very much like a blueprint for future success.
Georgia, to their credit, showed why they’ve become a regular fixture on the global rugby scene. Their physicality, structure, and fight will make them tough customers when they face the Springboks in Nelspruit next weekend.
The Final Word
For Makhaza, for the Free State Rugby Union, and for fans in Bloemfontein, Friday night was a reminder of what makes rugby special: young stars stepping up, proud provinces punching above their weight, and matches that grip you until the final whistle.
The Cheetahs may not always grab the headlines, but on nights like these, they remind the country — and themselves — that their rugby heart still beats strong.
