The tournament closes a gap for the central SA domestic rugby sides that do not have a ticket in the high riding, internationally focused United Rugby Challenge.
Windhoek Draught Griquas are preparing to take on Emerging Ireland XV in the first of two opening games on Friday in the re-introduced Toyota Challenge which will feature five teams in a four match tournament running over a month at the Bloemfontein Rugby Stadium.
The Toyota Challenge will pit the strengths of, especially, the central SA teams against overseas opponents in a first ever rugby contest of this nature.
The USA National A XV as well as the Emerging Ireland team will challenge the three South African teams in several games which start on Friday and will continue over the month of October.
The tournament closes a gap for the central SA domestic rugby sides that do not have a ticket in the high riding, internationally focused United Rugby Challenge which dominates the rugby universe of late.
As matters stand the organisers of the Toyota Challenge had to bring on last adjustments to the tournament itinerary related to the withdrawal of the Italy A XV side for unforeseen reasons.
Media reports emanating from the tournament’s anchor team the Free State Cheetahs indicate that fellow South African team the Blue Bulls as well as Western Province XV will step into the breach.
For their part Griquas had since the onset of the off-season kept their foot on the gas by preparing non-stop. The Northern Cape side were just this past week in the Free State for a midweek game against the Griffons.
On Wednesday at lunchtime the Griquas will announce their team to take all contenders in the Toyota Challenge.
💥Updated Fixtures ! pic.twitter.com/k7bbl0b12B
— Griquas Rugby (@GriquasRugby) September 23, 2022
