The Cheetahs take on a Lusitanos side featuring several Test players and a Grey College old boy in Friday’s opening round of the expanded Toyota Challenge.
Lusitanos are one of three overseas teams competing in this year’s tournament along with Romania A and Black Lion of Georgia, with the Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas flying the South African flag.
Netwerk24 reports that Lusitanos are, in effect, a Portugal A side and feature six players who were part of Portugal’s squad for the historic Test against the Springboks in Bloemfontein in July 2024.
Among them are lock Nicolas Fernandes and No 8 Vasco Baptista, both of whom started that Test.
Pedro Vicente, Abel da Cunha, André Cunha and Pedro Lucas were also members of the Portugal squad and will be eager to make an impression ahead of next year’s World Cup in Australia, for which Portugal have already qualified.
Adding further local interest is centre Armand Patricio. The 21-year-old attended Grey College in Bloemfontein and featured for CUT before becoming involved in Portugal’s national setup.
Former Cheetahs and Shimlas forward Nicolaas Immelman is among the players set to represent Romania A.
MORE: Griquas, Pumas join Cheetahs’ Challenge
The opening round will also see back-to-back SA Cup champions the Pumas taking on Black Lion, and Currie Cup holders Griquas up against Romania A.
The Toyota Challenge will feature three rounds in Bloemfontein this month, before a second leg in Georgia in October.
Toyota Challenge fixtures
Friday, 5 June
1:30pm: Pumas vs Black Lion
2:30pm: Griquas vs Romania A
6pm: Cheetahs vs Portugal
Wednesday, 10 June
1:30pm: Griquas vs Black Lion
2:30pm: Pumas vs Portugal
6pm: Cheetahs vs Romania A
Sunday, 14 June
12pm: Griquas vs Portugal
2pm: Pumas vs Romania A
4:30pm: Cheetahs vs Black Lion
Photo: Charle Lombard/Gallo Images
The post Cheetahs face Portuguese challenge appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Cheetahs take on a Lusitanos side featuring several Test players and a Grey College old boy in Friday’s opening round of the expanded Toyota Challenge.
The post Cheetahs face Portuguese challenge appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
