Toyota Cheetahs out run the Black Lion in the 2026 Toyota Challenge
An incredible victory from the Toyota Cheetahs at their home grounds, Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein against the Georgian based Black Lion rugby team.
Toyota Cheetahs vs Black Lion in the Toyota Challenge at the Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
Photo Credits Ziyaad Plaatjes from the Toyota Suite
The atmosphere was spectacular with the thunderous sounds of the Harley Davidsons, the energetic Cheetah Girls, and the enthusiastic supporters welcoming the home team to the field at the start of Match 3 for the Toyota Cheetahs in the 6th edition of the Toyota Challenge.
Toyota Cheetahs were first to put points on the scoreboard within the first 2 minutes of play with a try from winger Michael Annies and a successful conversion by Jaco van der Walt.
In the remaining time the visiting Black Lion team fought back quickly and put on a strong defensive first half while scoring two tries from flank Giorgi Tsutskiridze and winger Roma Makhatadze with successful conversions and a penalty goal from fullback Luka Tsirekidze, leaving the score at 7 - 17 at the break.
As the sun set before the second 40 minutes, the Toyota Stadium came alive, and the Toyota Cheetahs fed off the crowds energy.
Despite a try by Black Lion's prop Davit Abdushelishvili and another successful conversion from the team in the 46th minute, it was not enough to over power the Toyota Cheetahs supporters' vibrant vibe.
With Black Lion captain Mikheil Babunashvili being sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a high tackle on Michael Annies the Toyota Cheetahs did not waste time to seal their victory with tries from prop Ben Pitout, scrumhalf Marco Jansen van Rensburg, centre Munier Hartzenberg and successful conversions by Jaco van der Walt putting the favourites back in the lead by the 58th minute of the game.
The momentum continued with flyhalf Jaco van der Walt and centre Zander du Plessis adding 5 points each to the board, and Cohen Jasper converting to bring the score up to 42 - 24 in the 73rd minute.
Centre Munier Hartzenberg marked his 50th appearance with a well-deserved second try in the 78th minute, giving the Toyota Cheetahs a comfortable lead of 47 - 24.
A last minute try from centre Tornike Kakhoidze and conversion for the Black Lion team was not enough to save them with the Toyota Cheetahs claiming victory in a 47 - 31 final score.
With the Toyota Cheetahs winning their previous two games 54 - 24 against the Cartrack Lusitanos (Portugal) on 5th June, and 47 - 14 victory over Romania A on 10th June, they are confidently going into the second leg in October at Tbilisi, Georgia with 15 points.
The Suzuki Griquas also have 15 points, while the other South African team Airlink Pumas won two our of their three matches to give them 11 points. Black Lion (Georgia) are 4th on the log with 6 points, Romania A with 1 point and Cartrack Lusitanos (Portugal) not scoring any points at the bottom of the log.
Full First Leg 2026 Toyota Challenge Results
Round 1 - 5th June 2026
Airlink Pumas 36 - 46 Black Lion
Suzuki Griquas 35 - 20 Romania A
Toyota Cheetahs 54 - 24 Cartrack Lusitanos
Round 2 - 10th June 2026
Suzuki Griquas 56 - 21 Black Lion
Airlink Pumas 57 - 24 Cartrack Lusitanos
Toyota Cheetahs 47 - 14 Romania A
Round 3 - 14th June 2026
Suzuki Griquas 76 - 7 Cartrack Lusitanos
Airlink Pumas 46 - 26 Romania A
Toyota Cheetahs 47 - 31 Black Lion
Ziyaad Plaatjes is the Co-Founder of iloveza.com & Let's Torque ZA, the Founder of the After Fajr Grind Academy, a Radio Co-Host for a youth focussed programme, Level Up, on Radio Islam International, previously a Radio Host for the longest running award-winning Motoring show in South Africa - Bumper2Bumper on Cii Radio, and a Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador, who was named one of Mail & Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans in the Arts, Entertainment, Film & Media Category.
He is a Bachelor of Commerce Honours graduate and has been running businesses since the age of 13. Ziyaad is a social media fundi and content creator, but has taken on many roles in various industries over the years. With his entrepreneurial skills and vast knowledge he assists individuals and businesses to grow and achieve their goals.
Find him at: Instagram: @ziyaad_86 / @ilovezacom / @letstorqueza / @b2bcii X: @ziyaad86 / @ilovezacom / @letstorqueza / @b2bcii Facebook: iloveza.com / Let's Torque ZA LinkedIn: Ziyaad Plaatjes / iloveza.com YouTube: iloveza.com SoundCloud: iloveza.com / Radio Islam International TikTok: @ilovezacom / @b2bcii Threads: @ilovezacom iono.fm: Bumper2Bumper Hashtags: #AfterFajrGrind #iloveza❤️🇿🇦 #LetsTorqueZA #LevelUp #B2BCii #WheresDaddyZA E-mail: ziyaad@iloveza.com
