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South African side Cheetahs will play their European Challenge Cup home matches this season at St Helen’s in Swansea, the home of Welsh side Ospreys.<\/b><\/p>\n
Cheetahs host Dragons on Sunday, 13 December and Perpignan on Sunday, 17 January with both games a day after Ospreys’ home matches in the same competition.<\/p>\n
Cheetahs have traditionally used Europe as a base for matches in the second-tier tournament, with games in the 2025-26 season taking place in Amsterdam.<\/p>\n
There are links between Ospreys and Cheetahs. Y11 Sports & Media owns a majority stake in the Ospreys and maintain an investment interest in the South African team with players moving between both sides.<\/p>\n
The Ospreys’ first game at the redeveloped St Helen’s is scheduled to be the United Rugby Championship (URC) Welsh derby against Dragons on Saturday, 24 October.<\/p>\n
“The Ospreys are grateful to the WRU for its permission to play these matches at St Helen’s,” said Ospreys managing director Richard Lancaster.<\/p>\n
“We’re excited to welcome the Toyota Cheetahs for these two EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures. There is already a strong relationship between the two clubs and this is another really positive step in developing that further.<\/p>\n
“It also demonstrates the opportunities that St Helen’s can create. Having our own venue gives us the ability to bring additional high-quality rugby and events to Swansea.”<\/p>\n
Cheetahs director of rugby is former South Africa international Frans Steyn. <\/p>\n
“It’s great to be welcomed so warmly by our friends in rugby, the Ospreys,” Steyn said.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n