The Toyota Free State Cheetahs secured a comfortable 43-21 victory over the Hollywoodbets Sharks XV in their Currie Cup encounter held in Bloemfontein on 24 July 2026. This win allows the Cheetahs to remain unbeaten in the current campaign and places them at the top of the competition standings.
Match Performance And Key Contributors
After a tightly contested first half that saw the teams locked at 14-14, the Cheetahs surged ahead in the second period through clinical execution. Prince Nkabinde played a pivotal role by scoring a hat-trick of tries, while veteran scrumhalf Faf de Klerk contributed a brace to earn the Man of the Match accolade.
Tactical Context And Team Prospects
Going into the fixture, both sides held clean records, with the Cheetahs benefiting from a settled structure refined through the SA Cup and the Toyota Challenge. Discussing the opposition’s strengths before the match, Hollywoodbets Sharks XV coach Mike Vowles noted, “They are quite a settled team. They will have some good cohesion, having played in the SA Cup and the Toyota Challenge. We know they will come at us in the structured and set-piece part of the game.
The result marks a significant shift in the standings for the Bloemfontein side, who are currently coached by former Springbok Frans Steyn. The Cheetahs are next scheduled to face the Griquas in Kimberley on 31 July 2026.