Toyota Cheetahs will play their two home EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures at St Helen's in Swansea this season, sharing the venue with the Ospreys as they prepare to move into their new home.
The South African side have previously played European matches in Amsterdam, but will now use the Swansea ground. They face the Dragons on Sunday, December 13, before hosting Top 14 side USAP on Sunday, January 17.
Two big weekends at St Helen's
Both Cheetahs fixtures fall on the same weekend as home European matches for the Ospreys, setting up two big weekends of rugby at the ground. Mark Jones' side take on Harlequins on Saturday, December 12 and RC Vannes on Saturday, January 16.
The arrangement is the latest example of the relationship between the Ospreys and the Cheetahs. Players have previously switched between the two sides to aid development.
Clubs to explore training opportunities
Around those two European matches, the Ospreys and Cheetahs have announced they will "explore opportunities" to train and work alongside each other during the latter's time in Swansea.
Ospreys managing director Richard Lancaster said: "The Ospreys are grateful to the WRU for its permission to play these matches at St Helen's. We're really excited to welcome the Toyota Cheetahs for these two EPCR Challenge Cup fixtures."
He added: "There is already a strong relationship between the two clubs and this is another really positive step in developing that further. For us, 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."
Cheetahs look forward to Swansea home
Springbok World Cup winner Frans Steyn, who is the Cheetahs director of rugby, said: "It's great to be welcomed so warmly by our friends in rugby, the Ospreys. 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. Most importantly, we're looking forward to getting out there and playing some good Cheetah rugby."
Cheetahs chief operating officer MJ Smith said: "We are extremely grateful to the Ospreys and the Welsh Rugby Union for their support in making this opportunity possible. We have built some wonderful relationships within European rugby, especially with Rugby Nederland and Zebre Parma in Italy. Now we have this wonderful opportunity to work with the Ospreys in Swansea, and we are very excited."
Smith added: "We aim to make St Helen's a home away from home for the Toyota Cheetahs and, importantly, for our supporters abroad. We want to create a memorable matchday experience where Cheetahs supporters can come together, enjoy great rugby and a nice braai and feel part of the Toyota Cheetahs family."
St Helen's is set to host its first match this week, following work on the pitch and stands in recent weeks. Swansea RFC take on Ebbw Vale on Saturday, with the Ospreys' first match at the ground set to be against the Dragons on October 24.
