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By Renaldo BothmaThe Cheetahs arrive in Kimberley unbeaten, sitting top of the Currie Cup table with maximum points from wins over the Lions and Sharks XV. That is a statement of intent from a side that looks, right now, like the benchmark in this competition. But Frans Steyn has done something clever for this central derby: he has rotated heavily, held his horses, and made Faf de Klerk rested and ready from the bench. As a former No. 8 who spent years working alongside scrumhalves at the highest level, I know exactly what that decision signals — Steyn is not just managing this game, he is managing a campaign.
Griquas are dangerous, defending champions who bounced back sharply from a round-one loss to the Stormers XXIII with a bonus-point win over the Bulls XV last week. They are wounded in the back line, with multiple star backs ruled out through injury, but Griqua Park in Kimberley is never a comfortable away trip. Friday night, under those lights, in that cauldron — this is the kind of fixture that defines seasons.
A Starting XV Built for the Long Game
Steyn has made wholesale changes to his starting lineup, and on paper that is a gamble against a side that has found its feet after a slow start. But I read it differently. When you look at names like Faf de Klerk and Jaco van der Walt sitting on the bench, this is not a weakened matchday squad — this is a loaded one. The Cheetahs starting fifteen will do the hard yards early, set the tempo, and then Frans has two of the most experienced operators in South African domestic rugby ready to change the shape of this match the moment he needs them. That is smart coaching.
Victor Sekekete captains the side from lock, and the forward pack around him — Neels Volschenk at eight, Juan Venter and Ramon Uys flanking him — looks physical and purposeful. Rewan Kruger gets the nine jersey from the start, and how he manages the game in those critical middle phases will be key before Faf de Klerk enters the arena with fresh legs and full intent.