Robert Ebersohn will be making his 100th appearance for the Free State Cheetahs while skipper Victor Sekekete will be celebrating his 50th match on Saturday.
It’s a landmark occasion for Free Staters as two of their star players reach personal milestones in the Currie Cup clash against Western Province in Bloemfontein.
Ebersohn’s journey with the Cheetahs began straight after school and he made his debut in 2008 at the age of 19. A veteran centre, he earned 72 caps for the team and even captained them in 10 games before moving to France in 2013. There, he played for Montpellier, Castres, and Beziers before returning to South Africa in 2021 to rejoin the Cheetahs.
Since his return, the former Grey College prodigy has played 27 games for the team, bringing his total to an impressive 99.
“I still remember my first game. Meyer Bosman went off the field for blood, and I came on for five minutes,” Ebersohn said.
“I’m very honoured and excited to reach this milestone and to be able to share this with my family. For me, it’s just a special moment. It’s like a childhood dream come true.”
Sekekete, who can play lock or flanker, joined the Cheetahs in 2020 from Griquas and has been a regular starting team member for the past two seasons.
Named the Cheetahs’ standout forward for the 2022 Currie Cup season, he has represented the Junior Springboks in 2014 and has also played for the Lions and the Southern Kings.
“I feel blessed and honoured to have the privilege to be playing my 50th for the Cheetahs,” Seketete added.
“It’s been a good and hard two to three years with me playing rugby in the Free State. There have been some tough memories, and to get 50 caps for the Cheetahs means a lot.”
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