Embattled Cheetahs to call Swansea home for the Challenge Cup

Another year, another year of compromise for the proud Bloemfontein franchise. As an invited team, the Cheetahs will play Rounds two and three of the competition in Wales. They face the Dragons on 13 December, then USA Perpignan on 17 January as part of a deal with Ospreys Rugby.

"We are extremely grateful to the Ospreys and the Welsh Rugby Union for their support in making this opportunity possible," said Cheetahs' Chief Operating Officer MJ Smith.

"We have built some wonderful relationships within European rugby, especially with Rugby Nederland and Zebre Parma in Italy.

"Now we have this wonderful opportunity to work with the Ospreys in Swansea, and we are very excited. We aim to make St Helen's a home away from home for the Cheetahs and, importantly, for our supporters abroad.

"We want to create a memorable matchday experience where Cheetahs supporters can come together, enjoy great rugby and a nice braai and feel part of the Cheetahs family."

World Cup winner Frans Steyn, Director of Rugby of the Cheetahs, is eager to put on a show for the fans at St Helen's, which has recently undergone a significant facelift.

"It's great to be welcomed so warmly by our friends in rugby, the Ospreys," said the former Springbok.

"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.

"Most importantly, we're looking forward to getting out there and playing some good Cheetah rugby."

In January, the Cheetahs Challenge Cup match against Ulster at Dukes Rugby in the Netherlands was called off due to snow on the pitch. Steyn was seen shovelling snow in an effort to get the surface match-ready. Because the Cheetahs were technically the hosts, Ulster were handed a 28-0 bonus-point win as a result.

The Cheetahs get their Challenge Cup campaign underway against French side Bayonne at Stade Jean-Dauger on 18 October.