Racing 31 - 28 Cheetahs

Full time

18 Jan 2026

Stage: Pool 3 Round 4

Paris La Defense Arena

Racing 92 triumphed over Toyota Cheetahs with a close score of 31-28 in a thrilling Challenge Cup match. The Cheetahs drew first blood with a try from Maartens, followed by a successful conversion from van der Walt. Racing responded quickly, scoring three tries in the first half, including an impressive effort from Dayimani. However, the Cheetahs earned a penalty try during Racing's yellow card period, keeping the contest tight. In the second half, Racing extended their lead with a try from Donguy, but the Cheetahs fought back with a try from du Plessis. Fickou sealed the victory for Racing with a late try, converting it himself. The match showcased strong performances from both teams, particularly from Racing's Gibert and Fickou, who were instrumental in their victory.

Weather

Temperature: 7.7°C (Feels like 6.3°C) Condition: MostlyClear Wind: 7.0 km/h, gusting to 15.5 km/h Humidity: 81% Cloud Cover: 32%

Highlights

Events

Kickoff
1'

Try

Daniel Maartens · Cheetahs

0 - 5
2'

Conversion

Jaco van der Walt · Cheetahs

0 - 7
8'

Try

Auguste Albuisson · Racing

5 - 7
8'

Conversion

Antoine Gibert · Racing

7 - 7
15'

Yellow Card

Aranos Coetzee · Cheetahs
16'

Substitution

Francisco dos Reis on for Daniel Maartens · Cheetahs
18'

Try

Hacjivah Dayimani · Racing

14 - 7
18'

Conversion

Antoine Gibert · Racing

9 - 7
24'

Yellow Card

Romain Taofifenua · Racing
24'

Penalty Try

No Player · Cheetahs

14 - 14
25'

Yellow Card Complete

Aranos Coetzee · Cheetahs
26'

Substitution

Daniel Maartens on for Francisco dos Reis · Cheetahs
29'

Yellow Card

Thomas Lainault · Racing
34'

Try

Prince Nkabinde · Cheetahs

14 - 19
34'

Yellow Card Complete

Romain Taofifenua · Racing
35'

Conversion

Jaco van der Walt · Cheetahs

14 - 21
39'

Yellow Card Complete

Thomas Lainault · Racing
40'

Substitution

Michael Annies on for James Verity-Amm · Cheetahs
40'

Substitution

Cameron Dawson on for Matome Manyama · Cheetahs
Halftime 14 - 21
Second Half
41'

Try

Nolann Donguy · Racing

19 - 21
46'

Substitution

Janick Tarrit on for Elia Masi · Racing
46'

Substitution

Antoine Latrasse on for Kleo Labarbe · Racing
46'

Substitution

Jonny Hill on for Auguste Albuisson · Racing
49'

Substitution

Lino Julien on for Edouard-Junior Jabea Njocke · Racing
49'

Substitution

Lekima Tagitagivalu on for Thomas Lainault · Racing
49'

Substitution

Hermann Coetzee on for Lehopa Leota · Racing
51'

Try

Jonny Hill · Racing

24 - 21
52'

Substitution

Rewan Kruger on for Marco Jansen van Vuren · Cheetahs
52'

Substitution

Francisco dos Reis on for Aranos Coetzee · Cheetahs
55'

Substitution

Neels Volschenk on for Gideon van der Merwe · Cheetahs
61'

Substitution

Thomas Lainault on for Romain Taofifenua · Racing
61'

Substitution

Arno van der Merwe on for Sisonke Vumazonke · Cheetahs
62'

Substitution

Pieter Jansen van Vuren on for Curtly Thomas · Cheetahs
64'

Substitution

Mathis Julien on for Noa Zinzen · Racing
69'

Try

Zander du Plessis · Cheetahs

24 - 26
70'

Conversion

Jaco van der Walt · Cheetahs

24 - 28
72'

Substitution

Noham Valeu on for Vladi Ashvetia · Racing
72'

Substitution

Marko Janse van Rensburg on for Daniel Maartens · Cheetahs
79'

Try

Gael Fickou · Racing

29 - 28
80'

Conversion

Antoine Gibert · Racing

31 - 28
Fulltime 31 - 28

Player ratings

Racing

15 Sam James 7.6
14 Selestino Ravutaumada 7.4
13 Gael Fickou 8.0
12 Vladi Ashvetia 6.6
11 Nolann Donguy 7.8
10 Antoine Gibert 8.0
9 Kleo Labarbe 6.5
1 Edouard-Junior Jabea Njocke 7.1
2 Elia Masi 7.6
3 Lehopa Leota 5.3
4 Thomas Lainault 5.9
5 Romain Taofifenua 5.5
6 Auguste Albuisson 8.5
7 Noa Zinzen 6.5
8 Hacjivah Dayimani 9.4
16 Janick Tarrit 6.6
17 Lino Julien 7.1
18 Hermann Coetzee 6.4
19 Lekima Tagitagivalu 6.8
20 Jonny Hill 6.9
21 Mathis Julien 6.3
22 Antoine Latrasse 6.9
23 Noham Valeu –

Cheetahs

15 James Verity-Amm 5.9
14 Munier Hartzenberg 5.2
13 De-an Ackermann 6.1
12 Zander du Plessis 7.2
11 Prince Nkabinde 6.9
10 Jaco van der Walt 6.4
9 Marco Jansen van Vuren 5.7
1 Matome Manyama 6.0
2 Louis van der Westhuizen 7.5
3 Aranos Coetzee 4.9
4 Carl Wegner 6.1
5 Curtly Thomas 6.2
6 Daniel Maartens 7.1
7 Sisonke Vumazonke 6.5
8 Gideon van der Merwe 7.4
16 Marko Janse van Rensburg –
17 Cameron Dawson 5.6
18 Francisco dos Reis 5.9
19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren 5.9
20 Arno van der Merwe 5.8
21 Neels Volschenk 5.9
22 Rewan Kruger 5.9
23 Michael Annies 6.9