# 2019–20 Cheetahs season

In the 2019–20 rugby union season, the Cheetahs participated in the 2019–20 Pro14 competition, their third appearance since joining the competition in 2017–18. They remained in Conference A of the competition, which in 2019–20 featured Irish sides Leinster and Ulster, Italian side Zebre, Scottish side Glasgow Warriors and Welsh sides Dragons and Ospreys.

## Personnel
### Coaches and management

The Cheetahs coaching and management staff for the 2019–20 Pro14 season are:
| 2019–20 Cheetahs coaches and management |
| Position | Name |
| Head coach | Franco Smith (until 14 October 2019) |
| Head coach | Hawies Fourie (from 14 October 2019) |
| Lineout coach | Corniel van Zyl |
| Defence coach | Charl Strydom |
| Assistant coach | Melusi Mthethwa |
| Skills and kicking coach | Albert Keuris |
| Conditioning coach | Quintin Kruger |
| Team manager | Ashwell Rafferty |
| Performance analyst | Renaldo Meyer |

### Squad

The Cheetahs squad for the 2019–20 Pro14 is:
| 2019–20 Cheetahs squad |
| Player | Position/s | Date of birth (age) | Pro14 | Pro14 | Cheetahs | Cheetahs |
| Player | Position/s | Date of birth (age) | Apps | Pts | Apps | Pts |
| Wilmar Arnoldi | Hooker | (1994-10-21)21 October 1994 (aged 24) | – | – | – | – |
| Dian Badenhorst | Scrum-half | (1996-08-08)8 August 1996 (aged 23) | – | – | – | – |
| Craig Barry | Wing | (1992-04-30)30 April 1992 (aged 27) | 9 | 20 | 9 | 20 |
| Justin Basson | Lock | (1994-02-10)10 February 1994 (aged 25) | 25 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| Clayton Blommetjies | Fullback | (1990-08-30)30 August 1990 (aged 29) | 21 | 35 | 15 | 30 |
| Adriaan Carelse | Fullback | (1995-02-08)8 February 1995 (aged 24) | – | – | – | – |
| Aranos Coetzee | Prop | (1988-03-14)14 March 1988 (aged 31) | 43 | 0 | 43 | 0 |
| Carel-Jan Coetzee | Centre / wing | (1995-01-23)23 January 1995 (aged 24) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Aidon Davis | Loose forward | (1994-04-29)29 April 1994 (aged 25) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Luan de Bruin | Prop | (1993-02-13)13 February 1993 (aged 26) | 13 | 5 | 13 | 5 |
| Ruben de Haas | Scrum-half | (1998-10-09)9 October 1998 (aged 20) | – | – | – | – |
| Erich de Jager | Prop | (1996-02-29)29 February 1996 (aged 23) | 8 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| JP du Preez | Lock | (1994-11-09)9 November 1994 (aged 24) | 20 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| Joseph Dweba | Hooker | (1995-10-25)25 October 1995 (aged 23) | 19 | 30 | 19 | 30 |
| Louis Fouché | Fly-half / fullback | (1990-01-04)4 January 1990 (aged 29) | 14 | 27 | 14 | 27 |
| Neethling Fouché | Prop | (1993-01-10)10 January 1993 (aged 26) | – | – | – | – |
| Malcolm Jaer | Fullback | (1995-06-29)29 June 1995 (aged 24) | 18 | 35 | 18 | 35 |
| Benhard Janse van Rensburg | Centre | (1997-01-14)14 January 1997 (aged 22) | 25 | 39 | 20 | 35 |
| Günther Janse van Vuuren | Prop | (1995-08-24)24 August 1995 (aged 24) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Sias Koen | Flank | (1994-01-01)1 January 1994 (aged 25) | – | – | – | – |
| Rewan Kruger | Scrum-half | (1997-07-15)15 July 1997 (aged 22) | – | – | – | – |
| Daniel Maartens | Flank | (1995-05-04)4 May 1995 (aged 24) | 10 | 15 | 10 | 15 |
| Tapiwa Mafura | Fullback | (1996-04-11)11 April 1996 (aged 23) | – | – | – | – |
| Sintu Manjezi | Lock | (1995-04-07)7 April 1995 (aged 24) | 14 | 5 | 14 | 5 |
| Charles Marais | Prop | (1988-08-29)29 August 1988 (aged 31) | 39 | 0 | 39 | 0 |
| Chris Massyn | Flank | (1994-06-03)3 June 1994 (aged 25) | – | – | – | – |
| Rabz Maxwane | Wing | (1995-08-14)14 August 1995 (aged 24) | 28 | 95 | 28 | 95 |
| Tian Meyer | Scrum-half | (1988-09-20)20 September 1988 (aged 31) | 32 | 15 | 32 | 15 |
| Oupa Mohojé | Flank | (1990-08-03)3 August 1990 (aged 29) | 17 | 10 | 17 | 10 |
| Khwezi Mona | Prop | (1992-10-08)8 October 1992 (aged 26) | – | – | – | – |
| Ox Nché | Prop | (1995-07-23)23 July 1995 (aged 24) | 38 | 25 | 38 | 25 |
| Abongile Nonkontwana | Flank | (1995-04-10)10 April 1995 (aged 24) | 16 | 10 | 16 | 10 |
| Gerhard Olivier | Flank | (1993-02-17)17 February 1993 (aged 26) | 19 | 10 | 19 | 10 |
| Ruan Pienaar | Scrum-half | (1984-03-10)10 March 1984 (aged 35) | 100 | 659 | – | – |
| Junior Pokomela | Flank | (1996-12-10)10 December 1996 (aged 22) | 27 | 20 | 27 | 20 |
| Duncan Saal | Wing | (1996-10-24)24 October 1996 (aged 22) | – | – | – | – |
| Tian Schoeman | Fly-half | (1991-09-23)23 September 1991 (aged 28) | 21 | 134 | 21 | 134 |
| William Small-Smith | Wing / centre | (1992-03-31)31 March 1992 (aged 27) | 34 | 51 | 34 | 51 |
| Chris Smit | Centre | (1995-08-01)1 August 1995 (aged 24) | – | – | – | – |
| Rhyno Smith | Outside back | (1993-02-11)11 February 1993 (aged 26) | 4 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Walt Steenkamp | Lock | (1995-07-21)21 July 1995 (aged 24) | 20 | 10 | 20 | 10 |
| Dries Swanepoel | Centre | (1993-02-19)19 February 1993 (aged 26) | 8 | 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Marnus van der Merwe | Hooker | (1997-02-17)17 February 1997 (aged 22) | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Boan Venter | Prop | (1997-04-12)12 April 1997 (aged 22) | 1 | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Henco Venter | Flank | (1992-03-27)27 March 1992 (aged 27) | 24 | 10 | 24 | 10 |
| Reinach Venter | Hooker | (1995-01-03)3 January 1995 (aged 24) | 12 | 15 | 12 | 15 |
| Anthony Volmink | Fullback / wing | (1990-02-10)10 February 1990 (aged 29) | 6 | 5 | – | – |
| George Whitehead | Fly-half | (1989-03-17)17 March 1989 (aged 30) | – | – | – | – |
| Jasper Wiese | Eighth man | (1995-10-21)21 October 1995 (aged 23) | 10 | 5 | 10 | 5 |
| Note: Players' ages and statistics are correct as of 28 September 2019, the date of the opening round of the competition. Pro14 appearances only. |

### Player movements

Player movements between the 2018–19 Pro14 season and the end 2019–20 Pro14 season are as follows:
| Cheetahs transfers 2018–19 — 2019–20 |
| Pos | 2018–19 squad | Out | In | 2019–20 squad |
| PR | Aranos Coetzee Luan de Bruin Erich de Jager Günther Janse van Vuuren Johan Kotze Charles Marais Ox Nché Boan Venter Quintin Vorster | Johan Kotze (released) Quintin Vorster (to Griffons) | Neethling Fouché (on loan from Western Province) Khwezi Mona (on loan from Griquas) | Aranos Coetzee Luan de Bruin Erich de Jager Neethling Fouché (on loan) Günther Janse van Vuuren Charles Marais Khwezi Mona (on loan) Ox Nché Boan Venter |
| HK | Jacques du Toit Joseph Dweba Elandré Huggett Jannes Snyman Marnus van der Merwe Reinach Venter | Jacques du Toit (to Southern Kings) Elandré Huggett (released) Jannes Snyman (to Falcons) | Wilmar Arnoldi (from Griquas) | Wilmar Arnoldi Joseph Dweba Marnus van der Merwe Reinach Venter |
| LK | Justin Basson Louis Conradie JP du Preez Sintu Manjezi Sibabalo Qoma Walt Steenkamp Dennis Visser | Louis Conradie (to Asia Pacific Dragons) Sibabalo Qoma (to Griffons) Dennis Visser (released) | | Justin Basson JP du Preez Sintu Manjezi Walt Steenkamp |
| FL | Daniel Maartens Stephan Malan Oupa Mohojé Abongile Nonkontwana Gerhard Olivier Luigy van Jaarsveld Henco Venter Ntokozo Vidima Jasper Wiese | Stephan Malan (to Lazio) Luigy van Jaarsveld (released) Ntokozo Vidima (to Border Bulldogs) | Sias Koen (on loan from Griquas) Chris Massyn (from Stormers) | Sias Koen (on loan) Daniel Maartens Chris Massyn Oupa Mohojé Abongile Nonkontwana Gerhard Olivier Henco Venter Jasper Wiese |
| N8 | Aidon Davis Niell Jordaan Junior Pokomela | Niell Jordaan (to Griquas) | | Aidon Davis Junior Pokomela |
| SH | Dian Badenhorst Ruben de Haas Tian Meyer Zee Mkhabela Rudy Paige Shaun Venter | Zee Mkhabela (to Sharks) Rudy Paige (to Clermont) Shaun Venter (Ospreys) | Rewan Kruger (from Free State U21) Ruan Pienaar (from Montpellier) | Dian Badenhorst Ruben de Haas Rewan Kruger Tian Meyer Ruan Pienaar |
| FH | Ryno Eksteen Louis Fouché Tian Schoeman Niell Stannard Ernst Stapelberg | Ryno Eksteen (released) Niell Stannard (to Griffons) Ernst Stapelberg (released) | George Whitehead (on loan from Griquas) | Louis Fouché Tian Schoeman George Whitehead (on loan) |
| CE | Lloyd Greeff Benhard Janse van Rensburg Tertius Kruger Nico Lee Ali Mgijima William Small-Smith Dries Swanepoel | Lloyd Greeff (released) Tertius Kruger (to Southern Kings) Nico Lee (to Brive) Ali Mgijima (released) | Chris Smit (from Griquas) | Benhard Janse van Rensburg William Small-Smith Chris Smit Dries Swanepoel |
| WG | Darren Adonis Carel-Jan Coetzee Vuyani Maqina Rabz Maxwane | Darren Adonis (to South Africa Sevens Academy) Vuyani Maqina (released) | Craig Barry (from Stormers) Duncan Saal (from Stormers) | Craig Barry Carel-Jan Coetzee Rabz Maxwane Duncan Saal |
| FB | Adriaan Carelse Malcolm Jaer Tapiwa Mafura Rhyno Smith (on loan) | | Clayton Blommetjies (from Free State Cheetahs) Anthony Volmink (on loan from Griquas) | Clayton Blommetjies Adriaan Carelse Malcolm Jaer Tapiwa Mafura Rhyno Smith Anthony Volmink (on loan) |
| Coach | Franco Smith | | Hawies Fourie (from Maties) | Hawies Fourie Franco Smith |

## Standings

The final Conference A log standings were:
| 2019–20 Pro14 Conference A |
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
| 1 | Leinster | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 531 | 216 | +315 | 74 | 28 | 9 | 0 | 69 |
| 2 | Ulster | 15 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 385 | 306 | +79 | 50 | 40 | 7 | 3 | 44 |
| 3 | Glasgow Warriors | 15 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 364 | 329 | +35 | 53 | 42 | 5 | 1 | 38 |
| 4 | Cheetahs | 13 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 342 | 280 | +62 | 48 | 32 | 5 | 2 | 32 |
| 5 | Dragons | 15 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 283 | 415 | –132 | 32 | 49 | 1 | 1 | 24 |
| 6 | Zebre | 15 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 230 | 399 | −169 | 29 | 56 | 4 | 3 | 21 |
| 7 | Ospreys | 15 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 205 | 375 | −170 | 21 | 45 | 1 | 4 | 17 |
* ↑ Ulster deducted 1 point for an administration error regarding Ian Madigan.

### 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 | GLA | ULS | MUN | CON | SCA | CAR | OSP | ZEB | KIN | KIN | LEI | ULS | DRA | LEI | EDI | OSP | GLA | ZEB | DRA | BEN | KIN | — | — | — |
| Cumulative Points | 5 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 21 | 21 | 26 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | — | — | — |
| Position | 1st | 1st | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 4th | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 4th | 4th | 4th | 4th | 4th | 4th | 4th | 4th | 4th | 4th | — | — | — |
| Key: | win | draw | loss | bye | |

## Matches

The fixtures for the 2019–20 Pro14 were:
Following round 13 the league was suspended until 22 August due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however due to travel difficulties surrounding the pandemic, the Cheetahs were unable to complete their fixtures.

## Player statistics

The Pro14 appearance record for players that represented the Cheetahs in 2019–20 is as follows:
| 2019–20 Cheetahs player statistics |
| Player name | GLA | ULS | MUN | CON | SCA | CAR | OSP | ZEB | KIN | KIN | LEI | ULS | DRA | LEI | EDI | OSP | GLA | ZEB | DRA | BEN | KIN | | App | Try | Con | Pen | DG | Pts |
| Ox Nché | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Joseph Dweba | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | | 16 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 12 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 |
| Erich de Jager | 3 | 3 | | | 18 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | | | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sintu Manjezi | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | | | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Walt Steenkamp | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 19 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gerhard Olivier | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 20 | 6 | 20 | 21 | 8 | | 20 | | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Junior Pokomela | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Henco Venter | 8 | 8 | 8 | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ruan Pienaar | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 22 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 9 | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 12 | 1 | 25 | 6 | 0 | 73 |
| Tian Schoeman | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 23 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 12 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 25 |
| Anthony Volmink | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 23 | 11 | | | 11 | | | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Dries Swanepoel | 12 | 12 | | 13 | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Benhard Janse van Rensburg | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| William Small-Smith | 14 | 14 | 14 | 23 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Rhyno Smith | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 13 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 |
| Reinach Venter | 16 | 16 | 16 | | | | 17 | | | | | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Boan Venter | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 1 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 17 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Luan de Bruin | 18 | | 3 | 18 | 17 | 1 | 3 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| JP du Preez | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 5 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 5 | 5 | 19 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sias Koen | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 6 | 20 | | | | | | | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Jasper Wiese | 21 | 21 | 21 | 8 | 8 | 8 | | | | 8 | 8 | 8 | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Tian Meyer | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 9 | 21 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Louis Fouché | 23 | 23 | 12 | | 12 | 23 | | | | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 9 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Neethling Fouché | | 18 | 18 | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Clayton Blommetjies | | | 23 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 11 | | 14 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Aranos Coetzee | | | | 3 | 3 | 3 | | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wilmar Arnoldi | | | | 16 | 16 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| George Whitehead | | | | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 10 | 22 | | | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Chris Massyn | | | | | | | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Aidon Davis | | | | | | | 8 | 8 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Craig Barry | | | | | | | 14 | 14 | | | | 11 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Marnus van der Merwe | | | | | | | 16 | 20 | | | | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris Smit | | | | | | | 23 | | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rabz Maxwane | | | | | | | | 11 | | 11 | 11 | | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Charles Marais | | | | | | | | | | 1 | 1 | 17 | 17 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Daniel Maartens | | | | | | | | | | 20 | | | | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | | – | 1 | – | – | – | 7 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | 13 | 48 | 35 | 10 | 0 | 342 |
| (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. Dian Badenhorst, Justin Basson, Adriaan Carelse, Carel-Jan Coetzee, Ruben de Haas, Malcolm Jaer, Günther Janse van Vuuren, Rewan Kruger, Tapiwa Mafura, Oupa Mohojé, Khwezi Mona, Abongile Nonkontwana and Duncan Saal were named in the squad for the season, but never included in a matchday squad. |