Springboks Legend Francois Steyn to Coach Cheetahs at Swansea's St Helen's in Challenge Cup

• The Toyota Cheetahs will play two EPCR Challenge Cup pool fixtures at Ospreys' St Helen's ground in Swansea, Wales
• Francois Steyn, the Springboks great, is set to lead the South African side in matches against Dragons and Perpignan
• The arrangement forms part of a growing partnership between the Cheetahs and Ospreys that includes player-development opportunities

The Toyota Cheetahs will use the Ospreys' St Helen's stadium in Swansea as their European base this season, following an agreement struck between the two clubs ahead of the EPCR Challenge Cup pool stage.

The Free State-based franchise, currently under the direction of Springboks great Francois Steyn as director of rugby, will play two fixtures at the newly redeveloped Welsh venue. Their first match at St Helen's is scheduled for 13 December against Dragons, followed by a return on 17 January to face French Top 14 club Perpignan.

Double-header weekends planned at St Helen's

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Both fixtures have been structured as double-header weekends at the Swansea ground. The Ospreys host English Premiership side Harlequins the day before the Cheetahs take on the Dragons, while French club Vannes visit St Helen's 24 hours ahead of the Cheetahs' encounter with Perpignan.

The two clubs have already built a working relationship through player-development initiatives and are expected to explore joint training sessions while the Cheetahs are in Wales.

Ospreys managing director Richard Lancaster described the arrangement as a demonstration of the commercial and sporting value of owning their own venue.

"We're really excited to welcome the Toyota Cheetahs for these two EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures," Lancaster said.

"Having our own venue gives us the ability to bring additional high-quality rugby and events to Swansea."

Cheetahs chief operating officer MJ Smith said the club aimed to establish St Helen's as a home away from home for the team and its supporters based abroad.

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

"Now we have this wonderful opportunity to work with the Ospreys in Swansea, and we are very excited."

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Steyn Welcomes Swansea Partnership

Steyn, who earned widespread recognition during his distinguished playing career with the Springboks, expressed enthusiasm for the new arrangement.

"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," he said.

The Cheetahs have previously competed in European competition after being excluded from the United Rugby Championship, and their participation in the Challenge Cup marks a continued push to maintain a foothold in the top tier of club rugby on the continent.

Source: Briefly News