Niell Jordaan will captain the Cheetahs in Francois Venter's absence. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Gallo Images.
It still feels a bit too good to be true but here it is: the Cheetahs aren’t playing Super Rugby anymore.
They’re actually playing in Europe … for the first time.
It’s truly a historic occasion and the type of move many critics have said makes more sense for South African sides than staying in Super Rugby.
Also read: The obscure former Bok assistant the Cheetahs come up against
Nonetheless, Rory Duncan’s Cheetahs will certainly find it difficult (at least initially) to adapt to a new competition against seasoned opponents.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When and where does this match kickoff?
On Friday evening at 20.35 (SA time) at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.
Who is Ulster?
Ulster is one of Ireland’s “big four” teams and has been one of the strongest without ever experiencing sustained success.
In fact, they’ve only ever won the Pro14 title (when it was still called the Celtic League) once – in 2005/06.
That said, they are an eminently dangerous team and missed out on a semifinal spot last year by just one point.
Ulster have been coached by Australian Les Kiss for two years and boast a lot of South Africans in their group.
Springboks flankers Marcell Coetzee and Jean Deysel have been named in the starting line-up along with former Sharks prop Wiehahn Herbst and Lions winger Louis Ludik.
What are Ulster’s prospects?
The mood in Ireland is actually a bit pessimistic.
Ulster have lost more than they’ve gained in the off-season, especially since former Springboks scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar had to leave to to Irish rugby regulations.
They’ve also lost experienced No 8 Roger Wilson to retirement and lock Dan Tuohy to English side Bristol.
Influential flyhalf Paddy Jackson is also absent because of a criminal case hovering over his head, meaning Ulster have bought Brumbies pivot Christian Lealiifano on a short-term contract.
It’s a move that can work or backfire.
That said, there’s confidence in a new coaching staff and Ulster also boast three British and Irish Lions in Rory Best (hooker), Iain Henderson (lock) and Jared Payne (centre).
How are the Cheetahs looking?
Given their relative stability, the central franchise started well in the Currie Cup but they’ve actually flattered to deceive the past few weeks with two lucky wins and a defeat to Griquas.
It’s thought that the Cheetahs will struggle to adapt to European conditions but the Pro14 has become a reasonably open and attacking competition.
The forecast looks good, meaning conditions could suit the Cheetahs’ expansive game-plan.
They certainly have a good enough pack to lay a platform but the backline, with fullback Clayton Blommetjies at flyhalf, looks unbalanced.
Teams:
Cheetahs: Sergeal Petersen, Rosko Specman, William Small-Smith, Ali Mgijima, Makazole Mapimpi, Clayton Blommetjies, Shaun Venter, Niell Jordaan (c), Henco Venter, Paul Schoeman, Reniel Hugo, Justin Basson, Aranos Coetzee, Jacques du Toit, Charles Marais. Bench: Torsten van Jaarsveld, Ox Nche, Tom Botha, Rynier Bernardo, Gerhard Olivier, Tian Meyer, Cecil Afrika, Ryno Benjamin.
Ulster: Charlie Piutau, Andrew Trimble, Tommy Bowe, Stuart McCloskey, Louis Ludik, Christian Lealiifano, John Cooney, Marcell Coetzee (SA), Chris Henry (c), Jean Deysel (SA), Alan O’Connor, Robbie Diack, Wiehahn Herbst (SA), Rob Herring, Kyle McCall. Bench: John Andrew, Callum Black, Rodney Ah You, Matthew Rea, Sean Reidy, David Shanahan, Peter Nelson, Darren Cave.
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