2017–18 Cheetahs season

In the 2017–18 rugby union season, the Cheetahs participated in the Pro14 competition, their inaugural appearance in the competition after losing their Super Rugby status after the 2017 season.

Cheetahs

2017–18 season
Head coach	Rory Duncan
Captain	Francois Venter
Stadium	Free State Stadium
Conference A	3rd
Record	Won 12, Lost 10
Top try scorer	All: Makazole Mapimpi (10)
Top points scorer	All: Fred Zeilinga (86)
Home colours Away colours
← 2017 2018–19 →

Personnel

Coaches and management

The Cheetahs coaching and management staff for the 2017–18 Pro14 season were:[1]

2017–18 Cheetahs coaches and management
Position	Name
Director of Rugby	Franco Smith
Head coach	Rory Duncan
Forwards coach	Corniel van Zyl
Backline coach	Dave Williams
Defence coach	Charl Strydom
Team manager	Sakkie Wessels
Medical doctor	Dr Rudi de Wet
Physiotherapist	JP du Toit
Biokineticist	Quintin Kruger

Squad

The Cheetahs' squad for the 2017–18 Pro14 is:

2017–18 Cheetahs squad
Player	Position/s	Date of birth (age)	Pro14		Cheetahs
			Apps	Pts	Apps	Pts
Cecil Afrika	Fullback	(1988-03-03)3 March 1988 (aged 29)	–	–	–	–
Craig Barry	Fullback	(1992-04-30)30 April 1992 (aged 25)	–	–	–	–
Justin Basson	Lock	(1994-02-10)10 February 1994 (aged 23)	–	–	–	–
Rayno Benjamin	Centre	(1983-08-03)3 August 1983 (aged 34)	–	–	–	–
Rynier Bernardo	Lock	(1991-08-27)27 August 1991 (aged 26)	25	0	–	–
Clayton Blommetjies	Fullback	(1990-08-30)30 August 1990 (aged 27)	–	–	–	–
Tom Botha	Prop	(1990-08-31)31 August 1990 (aged 27)	–	–	–	–
Uzair Cassiem	Loose Forward	(1990-03-17)17 March 1990 (aged 27)	–	–	–	–
AJ Coertzen	Fullback	(1990-10-16)16 October 1990 (aged 26)	–	–	–	–
Aranos Coetzee	Prop	(1988-03-14)14 March 1988 (aged 29)	–	–	–	–
Luan de Bruin	Prop	(1993-02-13)13 February 1993 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Erich de Jager	Prop	(1996-02-29)29 February 1996 (aged 21)	–	–	–	–
Chris Dry	Loose Forward	(1988-02-13)13 February 1988 (aged 29)	–	–	–	–
Jacques du Toit	Hooker	(1993-11-19)19 November 1993 (aged 23)	–	–	–	–
Joseph Dweba	Hooker	(1995-10-25)25 October 1995 (aged 21)	–	–	–	–
Ryno Eksteen	Fly-half	(1994-10-03)3 October 1994 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Johan Goosen	Fly-half	(1992-07-27)27 July 1992 (aged 25)	–	–	–	–
Lloyd Greeff	Wing	(1994-01-03)3 January 1994 (aged 23)	13	10	–	–
Elandré Huggett	Hooker	(1991-10-05)5 October 1991 (aged 25)	–	–	–	–
Reniel Hugo	Lock	(1990-07-19)19 July 1990 (aged 27)	–	–	–	–
Malcolm Jaer	Fullback	(1995-06-29)29 June 1995 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Günther Janse van Vuuren	Prop	(1995-08-24)24 August 1995 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Niell Jordaan	Loose Forward	(1992-01-13)13 January 1992 (aged 25)	–	–	–	–
Armandt Koster	Lock	(1990-01-20)20 January 1990 (aged 27)	–	–	–	–
Johan Kotze	Prop	(1995-01-13)13 January 1995 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Tertius Kruger	Centre	(1993-08-09)9 August 1993 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Nico Lee	Centre	(1994-03-13)13 March 1994 (aged 23)	–	–	–	–
Hilton Lobberts	Lock	(1986-06-11)11 June 1986 (aged 31)	–	–	–	–
Daniel Maartens	Flanker	(1995-05-04)4 May 1995 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Makazole Mapimpi	Wing	(1990-07-26)26 July 1990 (aged 27)	–	–	–	–
Charles Marais	Prop	(1988-08-29)29 August 1988 (aged 29)	–	–	–	–
Niel Marais	Fly-half	(1992-01-21)21 January 1992 (aged 25)	–	–	–	–
Rabz Maxwane	Wing	(1995-08-14)14 August 1995 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Tian Meyer	Scrum-half	(1988-09-20)20 September 1988 (aged 28)	–	–	–	–
Ali Mgijima	Centre	(1995-02-12)12 February 1995 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Zee Mkhabela	Scrum-half	(1994-10-15)15 October 1994 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Oupa Mohojé	Loose Forward	(1990-08-03)3 August 1990 (aged 27)	–	–	–	–
Ox Nché	Prop	(1995-07-23)23 July 1995 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Luther Obi	Wing	(1993-04-29)29 April 1993 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Gerhard Olivier	Loose Forward	(1993-02-17)17 February 1993 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Sergeal Petersen	Wing	(1994-08-01)1 August 1994 (aged 23)	–	–	–	–
Robbie Petzer	Fly-half	(1996-02-13)13 February 1996 (aged 21)	–	–	–	–
Junior Pokomela	Loose Forward	(1996-12-10)10 December 1996 (aged 20)	–	–	–	–
Raymond Rhule	Wing	(1992-11-06)6 November 1992 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Paul Schoeman	Loose Forward	(1992-12-19)19 December 1992 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
William Small-Smith	Centre	(1992-03-31)31 March 1992 (aged 25)	–	–	–	–
JP Smith	Scrum-half	(1994-03-30)30 March 1994 (aged 23)	–	–	–	–
Rosko Specman	Wing	(1989-04-28)28 April 1989 (aged 28)	–	–	–	–
Ernst Stapelberg	Fly-half	(1995-02-06)6 February 1995 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Clinton Swart	Centre	(1992-09-06)6 September 1992 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Torsten van Jaarsveld	Hooker	(1987-06-30)30 June 1987 (aged 30)	–	–	–	–
Ruan van Rensburg	Scrum-half	(1993-05-31)31 May 1993 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Henco Venter	Loose Forward	(1992-03-27)27 March 1992 (aged 25)	–	–	–	–
Reinach Venter	Hooker	(1995-01-03)3 January 1995 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Shaun Venter	Scrum-half	(1987-03-16)16 March 1987 (aged 30)	–	–	–	–
Francois Venter	Centre	(1991-04-19)19 April 1991 (aged 26)	–	–	–	–
Ntokozo Vidima	Lock	(1995-05-13)13 May 1995 (aged 22)	–	–	–	–
Dennis Visser	Lock	(1993-01-20)20 January 1993 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Carl Wegner	Lock	(1991-02-07)7 February 1991 (aged 26)	–	–	–	–
Jasper Wiese	Loose Forward	(1995-10-21)21 October 1995 (aged 21)	–	–	–	–
Lihleli Xoli	Wing	(1993-02-28)28 February 1993 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Fred Zeilinga	Fly-half	(1992-12-11)11 December 1992 (aged 24)	–	–	–	–
Note: Players' ages and statistics are correct as of 1 September 2017, the date of the opening round of the competition. Pro14 appearances only.

Player movements

Player movements between the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season and the end of the 2017–18 Pro14 season are as follows:

Cheetahs transfers 2017–2018
Pos	2017 squad	Out	In	2017–18 players
PR	Tom Botha[2] Aranos Coetzee[2] Charles Marais[3] Danie Mienie[3] Ox Nché[3]	Danie Mienie (to Toulouse)[4]	Luan de Bruin (from Free State Cheetahs)[5] Erich de Jager (from Free State Cheetahs)[6] Günther Janse van Vuuren (from Free State Cheetahs)[5] Johan Kotze (from Free State Cheetahs)[5]	Tom Botha[6] Aranos Coetzee[6] Luan de Bruin Erich de Jager Günther Janse van Vuuren (did not play) Johan Kotze (did not play) Charles Marais[6] Ox Nché[6]
HK	Jacques du Toit (did not play)[7] Joseph Dweba[7] Elandré Huggett[8] Torsten van Jaarsveld[7] Reinach Venter[9]			Jacques du Toit[6] Joseph Dweba[6] Elandré Huggett (did not play)[5] Torsten van Jaarsveld[6] Reinach Venter (did not play)[5]
LK	Justin Basson[8] Reniel Hugo[8] Armandt Koster[8] Hilton Lobberts (did not play)[8] Francois Uys[8] Dennis Visser (did not play)[8] Carl Wegner[8]	Francois Uys (to Grenoble)[10]	Rynier Bernardo (from Scarlets)[11] Ntokozo Vidima (from Free State Cheetahs)[5]	Justin Basson[6] Rynier Bernardo Reniel Hugo[6] Armandt Koster[6] Hilton Lobberts (did not play)[5] Ntokozo Vidima (did not play) Dennis Visser[5] Carl Wegner[5]
FL	Uzair Cassiem[8] Chris Dry[9] Oupa Mohojé[12] Junior Pokomela[13] Boom Prinsloo[8] Paul Schoeman[8] Henco Venter[8]	Boom Prinsloo (to Bulls)[14]	Daniel Maartens (from Free State Cheetahs)[15] Gerhard Olivier (from Free State Cheetahs)[6] Jasper Wiese (from Free State Cheetahs)[5]	Uzair Cassiem[5] Chris Dry[5] Daniel Maartens Oupa Mohojé[5] Gerhard Olivier Junior Pokomela[5] Paul Schoeman[6] Henco Venter[6] Jasper Wiese
N8	Niell Jordaan[8]			Niell Jordaan[6]
SH	Tian Meyer[16] Zee Mkhabela[16] Ruan van Rensburg[17] Shaun Venter[16]		JP Smith (from Free State Cheetahs)[5]	Tian Meyer[6] Zee Mkhabela[6] JP Smith (did not play) Ruan van Rensburg (did not play)[5] Shaun Venter[6]
FH	Ryno Eksteen (did not play)[18] Niel Marais[8] Fred Zeilinga[8]		Johan Goosen (unattached)[19] Robbie Petzer (from Griffons)[5] Ernst Stapelberg (from Western Province)[20]	Ryno Eksteen (did not play)[5] Johan Goosen Niel Marais[5] Robbie Petzer Ernst Stapelberg Fred Zeilinga[5]
CE	Rayno Benjamin[21] Nico Lee[22] Ali Mgijima[23] William Small-Smith[23] Clinton Swart[8] Michael van der Spuy[23] Francois Venter[23]	Michael van der Spuy (retired)[24]	Tertius Kruger (from Griquas)[5]	Rayno Benjamin[6] Tertius Kruger Nico Lee[5] Ali Mgijima[6] William Small-Smith[6] Clinton Swart Francois Venter[5]
WG	JW Jonker[25] Luther Obi[26] Sergeal Petersen[27] Raymond Rhule[8]	JW Jonker (to Free State Cheetahs)[11]	Lloyd Greeff (from Free State Cheetahs)[28] Makazole Mapimpi (from Southern Kings)[29] Rabz Maxwane (from Blue Bulls)[30] Rosko Specman (from South Africa Sevens)[6] Lihleli Xoli (from Free State Cheetahs)[5]	Lloyd Greeff Makazole Mapimpi Rabz Maxwane Luther Obi[5] Sergeal Petersen[6] Raymond Rhule[5] Rosko Specman Lihleli Xoli (did not play)
FB	Clayton Blommetjies[8]		Cecil Afrika (from South Africa Sevens)[6] Craig Barry (from Western Province)[31] AJ Coertzen (from Griquas)[31] Malcolm Jaer (from Southern Kings)[5]	Cecil Afrika Craig Barry Clayton Blommetjies[6] AJ Coertzen Malcolm Jaer
Coach	Franco Smith[32]	Franco Smith (to Director of Rugby)[1]	Rory Duncan (from Director of Rugby)[1]	Rory Duncan

Standings

The final Conference B log standings are:[33]

2017–18 Pro14 Conference A
Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	TB	LB	Pts
1	Glasgow Warriors	21	15	1	5	614	366	+248	81	38	12	2	76
2	Munster	21	13	1	7	568	361	+207	78	42	10	5	69
3	Cheetahs	21	12	0	9	609	554	+55	75	68	10	5	63
4	Cardiff Blues	21	11	0	10	502	482	+20	56	59	5	5	54
5	Ospreys	21	9	0	12	390	487	−97	44	60	5	3	44
6	Connacht	21	7	0	14	445	477	−32	53	54	5	6	39
7	Zebre	21	7	0	14	408	593	−185	50	78	4	4	36

Legend and Competition rules
Legend:
	Conference leaders, qualify to play-off semifinals.		P = Games Played, W = Games Won, D = Games Drawn, L = Games Lost, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, PD = Points Difference, TF = Tries For, TA = Tries Against, TB = Try Bonus Points, LB = Losing Bonus Points, Pts = Log Points
	Second and third placed teams, qualified to play-off quarterfinals.
Competition rules:
Qualification: The top team in each conference qualified for the play-off semifinals, while the second and third placed teams qualified for the play-off quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals, the second-ranked team from each conference had home advantage against the third-ranked team from the other conference, with the winners progressing to the semi-finals. The conference winners had home advantage against the quarterfinal winners in the semifinals, with the two winners qualifying for the final, which was played at a venue decided in advance. Points breakdown: * 4 points for a win * 2 points for a draw * 1 bonus point for a loss by seven points or less * 1 bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match Classification: Teams standings were calculated as follows: * League points * Number of games won * Overall points difference * Number of tries scored * Number of points scored * Overall try difference * Player suspension count * Player yellow card count * Toss of a coin

Round-by-round

The table below shows the Cheetahs' progression throughout the season. For each round, their cumulative points total is shown with the conference position:

Team	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	R9	R10	R11	R12	R13	R14	R15	R16	R17	R18	R19	R20	R21	QF	SF	Final
Opposition	ULS	MUN	ZEB	LEI	OSP	GLA	ZEB	CON	EDI	SCA	BEN	KIN	KIN	CAR	GLA	OSP	CON	DRA	CAR	MUN	KIN	SCA	N/A	N/A
Cumulative Points	0	0	5	10	15	16	20	20	25	29	30	35	40	41	41	43	47	52	57	58	63	Lost	N/A	N/A
Position	7th	7th	5th	3rd	3rd	3rd	3rd	3rd	3rd	3rd	3rd	3rd	3rd	3rd	3rd	3rd	3rd	3rd	3rd	3rd	3rd	Lost	N/A	N/A
Key:	win	draw	loss	bye

Matches

The Cheetahs' fixtures for their inaugural season in Pro14 are:

	1 September 2017	Ulster	42–19	Cheetahs	Kingspan Stadium, Belfast
	19:35	Try: Tommy Bowe  18' Alan O'Connor  26' Stuart McCloskey  29' Charles Piutau  32' Louis Ludik  41' Peter Nelson  74' Con: John Cooney  27', 30' Peter Nelson  75' Pen: John Cooney  8', 55'	Report[34]	Try: Clayton Blommetjies  15' Makazole Mapimpi  20' Sergeal Petersen  49' Con: William Small-Smith  17', 22' Cards: Henco Venter 26' to 36' Aranos Coetzee 63' to 73'	Attendance: 14,448 Referee: Andrew Brace

	9 September 2017	Munster	51–18	Cheetahs	Thomond Park, Limerick
	17:15	Try: Tommy O'Donnell  6' Alex Wootton  19', 34', 54', 60' Jean Kleyn  48' Chris Farrell  50' Simon Zebo  71' Con: Ian Keatley  7', 20', 50', 61' Pen: Ian Keatley  3' Cards: Jaco Taute 6' to 16'	Report[35]	Try: William Small-Smith  41' Henco Venter  80' Con: Robbie Petzer  80' Pen: Robbie Petzer  15', 24'	Attendance: 15,144 Referee: Ben Whitehouse

	16 September 2017	Cheetahs	54–39	Zebre	Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
	19:30	Try: Makazole Mapimpi  18', 44' William Small-Smith  27' Luther Obi  31' Torsten van Jaarsveld  51', 59' Tian Meyer  66' Sergeal Petersen  72' Con: Ernst Stapelberg  28', 32', 46', 52', 60', 67', 73'	Report[36]	Try: George Biagi  15' Johan Meyer  36' Mattia Bellini  56' Failaga Afamasaga  63' Giulio Bisegni  78' Con: Carlo Canna  37' Marcello Violi  57', 64' Guglielmo Palazzani  79' Pen: Carlo Canna  2', 9' Cards: Dave Sisi 25' to 35' George Biagi 50' to 60'	Attendance: 13,982 Referee: Andrew Brace

	22 September 2017	Cheetahs	38–19	Leinster	Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
	20:00	Try: William Small-Smith  36' Torsten van Jaarsveld  43' Ox Nché  55' Luther Obi  80' Con: Ernst Stapelberg  37', 56', 80' Pen: Ernst Stapelberg  1', 9', 19', 25'	Report[37]	Try: Barry Daly  5', 59', 72' Con: Ross Byrne  60', 73' Cards: James Tracy 43' to 53'	Attendance: 6,980 Referee: Mike Adamson

	29 September 2017	Cheetahs	44–25	Ospreys	Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
	17:00	Try: Torsten van Jaarsveld  7', 18' Makazole Mapimpi  39', 69' Paul Schoeman  56' Francois Venter  80' Con: Ernst Stapelberg  19', 40', 57' William Small-Smith  80' Pen: Ernst Stapelberg  10', 50' Cards: Torsten van Jaarsveld 63' to 73'	Report[38]	Try: Rhys Webb  23' Kieron Fonotia  31' Dan Evans  72' Con: Dan Biggar  24', 32' Pen: Dan Biggar  38', 47'	Attendance: 4,589 Referee: Frank Murphy

	6 October 2017	Cheetahs	26–29	Glasgow Warriors	Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
	20:35	Try: Sergeal Petersen  11' Rosko Specman  39' Con: Ernst Stapelberg  12', 40' Pen: Ernst Stapelberg  28', 57', 65', 75'	Report[39]	Try: Callum Gibbins  32', 52' Henry Pyrgos  69' Rob Harley  76' Con: Finn Russell  33', 54', 70' Pen: Finn Russell  2'	Attendance: 5,964 Referee: George Clancy

	28 October 2017	Zebre	23–24	Cheetahs	Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
	20:00	Try: Matteo Minozzi  17' Oliviero Fabiani  53' Con: Carlo Canna  18', 54' Pen: Carlo Canna  9', 14', 27'	Report[40]	Try: Makazole Mapimpi  6', 58' Con: Fred Zeilinga  60' Pen: Ernst Stapelberg  3', 44', 49' Fred Zeilinga  80' Cards: Aranos Coetzee 52' to 62'	Attendance: 3,000 Referee: Dan Jones

	4 November 2017	Connacht	23–15	Cheetahs	Galway Sportsgrounds, Galway
	19:35	Try: Niyi Adeolokun  12' Tom McCartney  48' Con: Craig Ronaldson  13' Jack Carty  49' Pen: Craig Ronaldson  5', 29' Steve Crosbie  73'	Report[41]	Try: Shaun Venter  67' Makazole Mapimpi  75' Con: Fred Zeilinga  76' Pen: Ernst Stapelberg  40'	Attendance: 6,012 Referee: Frank Murphy

	24 November 2017	Cheetahs	33–13	Edinburgh	Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
	19:30	Try: Craig Barry  26' Rynier Bernardo  36' Junior Pokomela  59' Makazole Mapimpi  73' Tian Meyer  80' Con: Fred Zeilinga  27', 37', 60', 80'	Report[42]	Try: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne  47' Con: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne  47' Pen: Sam Hidalgo-Clyne  43', 49'	Attendance: 3,648 Referee: Quinton Immelman

	2 December 2017	Cheetahs	28–21	Scarlets	Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
	19:35	Try: William Small-Smith  24' Craig Barry  58', 67' Con: Fred Zeilinga  25', 59' Pen: Fred Zeilinga  6', 15', 34'	Report[43]	Try: James Davies  36' Ioan Nicholas  62' Con: Dan Jones  62' Pen: Dan Jones  4', 18' Tom Prydie  75'	Attendance: 3,457 Referee: Quinton Immelman

	6 January 2018	Benetton	27–21	Cheetahs	Stadio Comunale di Monigo, Treviso
	14:15	Try: Monty Ioane  38' Hame Faiva  58', 67' Federico Ruzza  62' Con: Marty Banks  62', 69' Pen: Marty Banks  44'	Report[44]	Try: Oupa Mohojé  45', 77' Con: Fred Zeilinga  47' Pen: Fred Zeilinga  8', 17', 31' Cards: Torsten van Jaarsveld 54' to 64' Shaun Venter 54' to 64'	Attendance: 3,500 Referee: Frank Murphy

	13 January 2018	Southern Kings	21–45	Cheetahs	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	17:00	Try: Yaw Penxe  7' Eital Bredenkamp  52' penalty try  70' Con: Oliver Zono  9', 53'	Report[45]	Try: Clayton Blommetjies  5' Nico Lee  19', 42', 73' Shaun Venter  31' Jacques du Toit  76' Con: Fred Zeilinga  6', 20', 32', 43', 74', 77' Pen: Fred Zeilinga  13' Cards: Justin Basson 52' to 62' Charles Marais 69' to 79' Junior Pokomela 70' to 80'	Attendance: 6,711 Referee: Stuart Berry

	20 January 2018	Cheetahs	45–24	Southern Kings	Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
	17:00	Try: Nico Lee  19', 34' Uzair Cassiem  25' Ox Nché  44' Makazole Mapimpi  48' Shaun Venter  52' Con: Fred Zeilinga  21', 26', 34', 45', 49', 53' Pen: Fred Zeilinga  3' Cards: Craig Barry 46' to 56'	Report[46]	Try: Luzuko Vulindlu  10' Schalk Ferreira  31' Tienie Burger  72' Con: Ntabeni Dukisa  11', 32' Benhard Janse van Rensburg  72' Pen: Ntabeni Dukisa  36'	Attendance: 5,522 Referee: Quinton Immelman

	10 February 2018	Cardiff Blues	25–20	Cheetahs	Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
	19:35	Try: Rey Lee-Lo  17' Ellis Jenkins  24' Nick Williams  53' Con: Jarrod Evans  18', 54' Pen: Jarrod Evans  36', 69'	Report[47]	Try: Ox Nché  4' Uzair Cassiem  56' Con: Fred Zeilinga  4', 57' Pen: Fred Zeilinga  14', 44' Cards: Rynier Bernardo 23' to 33'	Attendance: 4,703 Referee: Ian Davies

	16 February 2018	Glasgow Warriors	37–23	Cheetahs	Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow
	19:35	Try: Nikola Matawalu  12' Ruaridh Jackson  19' Siua Halanukonuka  50' George Horne  57' Henry Pyrgos  68' Con: Adam Hastings  13', 58', 69' Pen: Adam Hastings  34', 67'	Report[48]	Try: Malcolm Jaer  8' Clayton Blommetjies  63' Con: Niel Marais  9', 64' Pen: Niel Marais  40', 45', 53' Cards: Francois Venter  80'	Attendance: 7,351 Referee: George Clancy

	24 February 2018	Ospreys	27–26	Cheetahs	Liberty Stadium, Swansea
	17:30	Try: Ashley Beck  42' Sam Cross  53' Ifan Phillips  78' Con: Sam Davies  43', 54', 79' Pen: Sam Davies  40', 68'	Report[49]	Try: Torsten van Jaarsveld  9' Reniel Hugo  14' Nico Lee  45' Craig Barry  56' Con: Niel Marais  15', 47', 56'	Attendance: 3,842 Referee: Ben Whitehouse

	3 March 2018	Cheetahs	26–25	Connacht	Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
	17:35	Try: Uzair Cassiem  3' Rabz Maxwane  60' Con: Niel Marais  4', 61' Pen: Niel Marais  9', 17', 24', 79'	Report[50]	Try: Matt Healy  14', 20' Eoin Griffin  57' Con: Jack Carty  15', 58' Pen: Jack Carty  38', 42'	Attendance: 6,095 Referee: Stuart Berry

	24 March 2018	Dragons	17–29	Cheetahs	Rodney Parade, Newport
	19:35	Try: Ashton Hewitt  11' Elliot Dee  70' Con: Arwel Robson  13', 71' Drop: Arwel Robson  27'	Report[51]	Try: Rabz Maxwane  41', 61' Fred Zeilinga  48' Clayton Blommetjies  72' Con: Niel Marais  41', 49' Fred Zeilinga  73' Pen: Niel Marais  18'	Attendance: 4,406 Referee: Nigel Owens

	7 April 2018	Cheetahs	29–27	Cardiff Blues	Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
	14:00	Try: Rabz Maxwane  13', 38' Francois Venter  23' penalty try  80' Con: Niel Marais  25', 40' Pen: Niel Marais  6' Cards: Clayton Blommetjies 18' to 28'	Report[52]	Try: Owen Lane  48' Willis Halaholo  58' Rey Lee-Lo  67' Con: Steven Shingler  49', 59', 68' Pen: Gareth Anscombe  2', 20' Cards: Owen Lane 35' to 45' Alex Cuthbert  77' Brad Thyer  80'	Attendance: 5,269 Referee: Mike Adamson

	13 April 2018	Cheetahs	17–19	Munster	Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
	18:35	Try: Clayton Blommetjies  10' Tian Meyer  28' Con: Johan Goosen  11', 29' Pen: Johan Goosen  39'	Report[53]	Try: Conor Murray  36' Con: JJ Hanrahan  36' Pen: JJ Hanrahan  44', 52', 61' Conor Murray  65' Cards: Simon Zebo 17' to 27'	Attendance: 6,869 Referee: Mike Adamson

	28 April 2018	Southern Kings	20–29	Cheetahs	Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
	15:00	Try: Ntabeni Dukisa  4' Harlon Klaasen  42' Con: Masixole Banda  5', 43' Pen: Masixole Banda  14', 22'	Report[54]	Try: Paul Schoeman  18' Niel Marais  28' Uzair Cassiem  39' Francois Venter  52' Con: Niel Marais  19', 40', 53' Pen: Niel Marais  2'	Attendance: 4,179 Referee: Cwengile Jadezweni

Quarterfinal	5 March 2018	Scarlets	43–8	Cheetahs	Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli
	18:35	Try: Steff Evans  5', 36' Leigh Halfpenny  16' Tom Prydie  44' James Davies  54' Jonathan Evans  60' Con: Leigh Halfpenny  6', 17' Rhys Patchell  37', 44', 56' Pen: Leigh Halfpenny  15' Cards: Rhys Patchell  80'	Report	Try: Clayton Blommetjies  75' Pen: Johan Goosen  21'	Attendance: 7,105 Referee: George Clancy

Player statistics

The Pro14 appearance record for players that represented the Cheetahs in 2017–18 is as follows:

2017–18 Cheetahs player statistics
Player name	ULS	MUN	ZEB	LEI	OSP	GLA	ZEB	CON	EDI	SCA	BEN	KIN	KIN	CAR	GLA	OSP	CON	DRA	CAR	MUN	KIN	SCA		App	Try	Con	Pen	DG	Pts
Charles Marais	1	1	17	1	1	1	17	17	1	1	1	17	17	17	1	1	17			17	17	17		20	0	0	0	0	0
Jacques du Toit	2	2	16	16	16	16	16		16	16	16	16	2	16	16	16	16	16	16	16	16	16		18	1	0	0	0	5
Aranos Coetzee	3	3	18	18	18	18	18	3	3	3	3	18	3	3	18	3	3	3	3	3	3	3		22	0	0	0	0	0
Justin Basson	4	20	4	4	4	4						4	4	4	4	4	4	4						13	0	0	0	0	0
Reniel Hugo	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5		5	5	5	5	5	5	5	19		21	1	0	0	0	5
Paul Schoeman	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6		6	20	6	6	6	6	6	6	6		21	2	0	0	0	10
Henco Venter	7	7	7	7	7	7						21	6	20	6	7	7	20	20	20	20	20		17	1	0	0	0	5
Niell Jordaan	8	8																						2	0	0	0	0	0
Shaun Venter	9	9	9	21	21	21	21	22	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9								16	3	0	0	0	15
Clayton Blommetjies	10	15							15	15		15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15		15	6	0	0	0	30
Makazole Mapimpi	11	11	11	11	11	11	11	11	11	11	11	11	11											13	10	0	0	0	50
Ali Mgijima	12	22						23																3	0	0	0	0	0
William Small-Smith	13	12	12	12	12	12	12		13	13	14							14	14	14	14	14		15	4	3	0	0	26
Rosko Specman	14			14	23	14																		4	1	0	0	0	5
Sergeal Petersen	15	14	15	15	15	15	15																	7	3	0	0	0	15
Torsten van Jaarsveld	16	16	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2		2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2		21	6	0	0	0	30
Ox Nché	17	17	1	17	17	17	1	1	17	17	17	1	1	1	17	17	1	1	1	1	1	1		22	3	0	0	0	15
Tom Botha	18	18	3	3	3	3	3	18	18	18	18	3	18	18			18	18	18	18	18	18		20	0	0	0	0	0
Rynier Bernardo	19	4	19	19	19	19	4	20	7	7	19	19	19	5		19	19		19	19	19	5		20	1	0	0	0	5
Gerhard Olivier	20																							1	0	0	0	0	0
Tian Meyer	21	21	21	9	9	9	9	9	21	21							21	9	9	9	9	9		16	3	0	0	0	15
Cecil Afrika	22		23																					2	0	0	0	0	0
Rayno Benjamin	23	23																						2	0	0	0	0	0
Robbie Petzer		10																						1	0	1	2	0	8
Francois Venter (c)		13	13	13	13	13	13				13			13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13	13		16	3	0	0	0	15
Armandt Koster		19																						1	0	0	0	0	0
Junior Pokomela			8	20	20	20	7	8	8	8	20	20	20											10	1	0	0	0	5
Ernst Stapelberg			10	10	10	10	10	10																6	0	15	14	0	72
Luther Obi			14	23		23		14	14						23	23	11							6	2	0	0	0	10
Chris Dry			20																					1	0	0	0	0	0
Nico Lee			22	22	22	22	23	12	12	12	12	13	13	12	12	12	12							14	6	0	0	0	30
Oupa Mohojé				8	8	8	8				7	7	7	7	7	20	20	7	7	7	7	7		16	2	0	0	0	10
Raymond Rhule					14		14																	2	0	0	0	0	0
Carl Wegner							19	4	4	4	4			19	19			19	4	4	4	4		12	0	0	0	0	0
Jasper Wiese							20	7	19	19														2	0	0	0	0	0
Fred Zeilinga							22	15	10	10	10	10	10	10	22	22	22	10	22					12	1	24	11	0	86
Tertius Kruger								13	22	22														2	0	0	0	0	0
Joseph Dweba								16					16											1	0	0	0	0	0
Dennis Visser								19																1	0	0	0	0	0
Zee Mkhabela								21			21	22	22	21	21	21	9	21	21	21	21	21		9	0	0	0	0	0
Daniel Maartens									20	20														2	0	0	0	0	0
Craig Barry									23	14	15	14	14	14	14	14	14							9	4	0	0	0	20
Rabz Maxwane										23				11			23	11	11	11	11	11		8	5	0	0	0	25
Uzair Cassiem											8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8		12	4	0	0	0	20
Niel Marais											22	12	12	22	10	10	10	12	10	12	10	12		12	1	14	10	0	63
AJ Coertzen											23	23	23					23	23	23				5	0	0	0	0	0
Clinton Swart													21					22	12	22	12	22		6	0	0	0	0	0
Malcolm Jaer														23	11	11								3	1	0	0	0	5
Luan de Bruin															3									1	0	0	0	0	0
Erich de Jager																18		17	17					2	0	0	0	0	0
Johan Goosen																				10	22	10		3	0	2	2	0	10
Lloyd Greeff																					23	23		2	0	0	0	0	0
penalty try																								–	1	–	–	–	7
Total																								22	76	59	39	0	617

(c) denotes the team captain. For each match, the player's squad number is shown. Starting players are numbered 1 to 15, while the replacements are numbered 16 to 23. If a replacement made an appearance in the match, it is indicated by . "App" refers to the number of appearances made by the player, "Try" to the number of tries scored by the player, "Con" to the number of conversions kicked, "Pen" to the number of penalties kicked, "DG" to the number of drop goals kicked and "Pts" refer to the total number of points scored by the player.

• Ryno Eksteen, Elandré Huggett, Günther Janse van Vuuren, Johan Kotze, Hilton Lobberts, JP Smith, Ruan van Rensburg, Reinach Venter, Ntokozo Vidima and Lihleli Xoli did not make any appearances.

See also

• Cheetahs
• Pro14

References

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