Cheetahs v Sharks in Currie Cup Round 2 as Frans Steyn hits 150-game milestone

The Cheetahs and the Sharks face off in Bloemfontein in a headline Currie Cup Round 2 clash, with kick-off at 17:00 and Cheetahs stalwart Frans Steyn marking a landmark 150th appearance in the competition.

The fixture, hosted in Bloemfontein, is among the standout matches of the second round and comes as South African Rugby Union (SARU) president Mark Alexander delivers a strong public message about the competition’s long-term status and importance in the domestic calendar.

Supporters are being urged to keep their live coverage pages refreshed throughout the evening to follow the latest updates, as the two sides look to build momentum in the early stages of the campaign.

Steyn calls for higher standards

In the build-up to the match, Frans Steyn has challenged the Cheetahs to raise their standards as they continue their Currie Cup campaign.

The veteran back, who reaches the major milestone of 150 Currie Cup games, has been a central figure for the Cheetahs across multiple seasons and remains influential both on and off the field.

His plea for improvement adds further edge to a contest already billed as one of the weekend’s standout fixtures, with both teams aiming to make a statement in Round 2.

SARU president reinforces Currie Cup future

The match also takes place against the backdrop of a firm intervention from SARU’s leadership regarding the status of the Currie Cup.

SARU president Mark Alexander has issued a strong message underlining the continued significance and future of the Currie Cup in South African rugby, amid ongoing debates about scheduling, competition structures and the balance with international and franchise commitments.

His comments are intended to reassure unions, players and supporters that the country’s oldest domestic competition remains central to the rugby landscape and a key platform for emerging talent.

Cheetahs name experienced spine

The Cheetahs have announced a starting XV combining experienced campaigners with emerging players, under the captaincy of No 8 Neels Volschenk.

Clayton Blommetjies starts at full-back, with Michael Annies and Prince Nkabinde on the wings. Munier Hartzenberg and Zander du Plessis form the midfield partnership.

At half-back, Jaco van der Walt wears the No 10 jersey and links up with scrum-half Faf de Klerk, providing a seasoned playmaking axis.

In the forwards, Victor Sekekete and Curtley Thomas pack down in the second row, with Juan Venter and Ramon Uys joining Volschenk in the back row. The front row consists of loosehead Tielman Niewoudt, hooker Marko Janse van Rensburg and tighthead Aranos Coetzee.

On the bench, the Cheetahs have front-row cover in Juan Smal, Tebogo Nkosi and Ben Pitoit, while Simon Muller and Sisonke Vumazonke provide additional options in the pack. Daniel Maartens, Marco Janse van Vuren and Henry Immelman complete the replacements, offering further depth across the backline and loose forwards.

Sharks target statement win

The Sharks travel to Bloemfontein with a side captained by No 8 Thomas Dyer, as they look to make a strong early impression in this year’s tournament.

Chijindu Okonta starts at full-back, supported out wide by wings Christie Grobbelaar and Lyle Matthews. In the centres, Marnus Potgieter lines up alongside Janco Purchase.

Tim Swiel directs play from fly-half, partnering scrum-half Ross Braude in the half-backs.

Up front, Cameron Dawson, Kerron van Vuuren and Simphiwe Ngobese make up the front row. Johan Momsen and Deon Slabbert start at lock, with Danilo Botha and Willem van den Hever joining Dyer in the loose trio.

Among the replacements, the Sharks have front-row cover in Bryce Calvert, Jaco du Toit and Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, while Sipho Nonyalela and Hanu Pieterse add further options in the pack. Ceano Everson, Chris Horak and Matthew Fortuin round out the bench, giving the visitors flexibility across the backline.

Blockbuster weekend of fixtures

The Cheetahs v Sharks encounter headlines what has been described as a blockbuster Round 2 weekend in the Currie Cup, with several other union derbies and key fixtures on the schedule.

Elsewhere, the Bulls have turned heads by naming two Junior Bok stars in their matchday squad for their own Round 2 fixture, underlining the competition’s continuing role in blooding young talent for higher honours.

With SARU reiterating its commitment to the Currie Cup’s future, established veterans like Frans Steyn reaching major milestones, and unions such as the Cheetahs and Sharks fielding a blend of youth and experience, the second round in Bloemfontein is set against a backdrop of both tradition and transition in South African rugby.