The Toyota Cheetahs will use St Helen’s in Swansea as their European home venue for the upcoming EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage, playing matches against the Dragons and Perpignan under director of rugby Francois Steyn, according to rugbypass.com.
Springboks Legend Francois Steyn Leads South African Side to Wales
Springboks great Francois Steyn directs the Toyota Cheetahs as they stage their EPCR Challenge Cup pool fixtures in Swansea, Wales. The South African franchise faces the Dragons at St Helen’s on December 13 before returning on January 17 to take on French Top 14 club Perpignan. Both fixtures form part of double-header weekends at the newly redeveloped ground.
Growing Partnership Between Cheetahs and Ospreys Creates Venue Opportunities
The Swansea agreement represents the latest development in an expanding relationship between the two clubs that already features player-development initiatives. Both sides will explore the possibility of joint training sessions while the Cheetahs are based in Wales. Ospreys managing director Richard Lancaster stated that hosting the matches demonstrates the commercial and sporting value of owning their own venue, thanking the Welsh Rugby Union for permission to use the ground. The Ospreys are grateful to the WRU for its permission to play these matches at St Helen’s,
Lancaster said. Cheetahs chief operating officer MJ Smith noted that the arrangement aims to establish St Helen’s as a home away from home for the team and its supporters abroad, building on existing European relationships with Rugby Nederland and Zebre Parma in Italy, according to rugbypass.com. It’s great to be welcomed so warmly by our friends in rugby, the Ospreys,
Steyn said. St Helen’s has a proud history, and we’re looking forward to playing there, experiencing the newly redeveloped stadium and making it our home in Europe.
https://x.com/BBCSportWales/status/2107429410483949814
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cheetahs at St Helen’s
Why are the Toyota Cheetahs playing their EPCR Challenge Cup matches in Swansea?
The Cheetahs secured an agreement with the Ospreys to stage their pool fixtures at St Helen’s as part of a growing partnership between the two clubs that includes player-development opportunities and potential joint training sessions.
Who will the Toyota Cheetahs face during their matches in Wales?
The Free State-based franchise plays the Dragons on December 13 and French Top 14 outfit Perpignan on January 17, with both games scheduled as part of double-header weekends alongside Ospreys fixtures against Harlequins and Vannes.
What role does Francois Steyn hold with the team?
Springboks great Francois Steyn serves as the director of rugby for the Toyota Cheetahs and leads the squad during their European campaign in Wales.