Back to Marais who clears to touch

Janse van Rensburg gets the match underway

The sides are out on the field, kickoff is just moments away

Rhule runs out for his 50th Currie Cup cap

The Free State Cheetahs get the defence of their 2016 Currie Cup title underway as they host the Sharks in Bloemfontein in round 1 of the competition. The Sharks will of course be without their Super Rugby players who are involved in the quarter-finals.