A very different challenge awaits Cheetahs in cup tie against Toulon

Seven wins from their last eight starts, star power almost fully restored, and frenzied fans who raise decibels as at no other rugby venue in Europe, Toulon’s Stade Felix Mayol should be a daunting, if not foreboding, venue on Saturday.

With a sizeable chunk of the French naval force anchored nearby, the Cheetahs, on a half-decent run, are in for a challenge they have not yet encountered.

Coach Hawies Fourie does not need reminding of the magnitude of the task facing him and his team in their round of 16 clash in the Challenge Cup.

Toulon have been slumbering giants since those dizzying days, now almost a decade ago, when they surged to Champions Cup glory (2013-15) and a Top 14 crown in 2014.

They were big spenders and the trophies followed, but of late the bling in their trophy cabinet has not been commensurate with the size of their cheque book. 

Their form this season has, however, markedly improved.

Toulon are sixth on the Top 14 log but have won only two fewer matches than log leaders Toulouse. They are clearly in an upward trajectory compared with last year, when they won half of their 26 Top 14 league matches.

Though Bok speedster Cheslin Kolbe is out with an ankle injury, Toulon’s stars appear to be aligning again and Fourie knows his team face an extraordinary challenge.

“That often happens with French teams when they have a poor year and then the owner decides he needs a better team and buys players,” said Fourie. “Then they are a lot better even if they are a league lower than where they want to be.”

Fourie has watched Toulon’s last four matches and does not see any obvious shortcomings, admitting it will take a lot to beat them at home.

“They are a good all-round team. They are good in the scrums, line-outs and mauls. They are also good at stopping mauls and they have big ball carriers in the pack and at the back. They also possess a good kicking game,” Fourie said.

The coach though isn’t star-struck or in awe of Saturday’s opposition. His team also boasts decent recent form, albeit in the Currie Cup.

“We tried to play all the guys in the Currie Cup that were in contention for a place on this tour.

“There was player rotation, so it was better preparation compared to December and January. We will be more match-ready,” Fourie boldly declared before his tone changed.

“The only drawbacks were the injuries to Frans Steyn and Friedle Olivier. Those are two big setbacks.”

Also on the downside for the Bloemfontein side are travel arrangements which will see them arrive in the port city at lunchtime on Wednesday after stops in Johannesburg, Istanbul and Marseille.

“Look, it’s little time on the ground. At least the weather is better than it was on our last trip to the UK and France in December and January. We should be OK. We had good preparation yesterday and this morning [Tuesday].

“We’ll have just one practice there before the game,” said the coach.

Cheetahs touring squad: Rynier Bernardo, Schalk Ferreira, Munier Hartzenberg, Marko Janse van Rensburg, Cohen Jasper, Daniel Kasende, Rewan Kruger, Daniel Maartens, Tapiwa Mafura, Jeandrè Rudolph, Victor Sekekete, Alutlutho Tshakweni, Marnus van der Merwe, Gideon van der Merwe, Hencus van Wyk, Mzwanele Zito, Louis van der Westhuizen, Robert Ebersohn, Reinhardt Fortuin, Ruan Pienaar, David Brits, Oupa Mohoje, Nqobisizwe Mxoli, Sibabalo Qoma, Conraad van Vuuren.