The anticipation is building for Carl Els, the Griquas standout, as he is poised to make his much-anticipated debut with the Cheetahs in the upcoming EPCR Challenge Cup clash against Bayonne in France. Cheetahs' director of rugby, Frans Steyn, has expressed high hopes for the recent Currie Cup champion, anticipating his swift integration and impact on the team.
"We’re all excited to have Carl Els here. He had a great Currie Cup campaign, and hopefully he finds his feet quickly in our squad and gets comfortable with our system. We want him to continue that good form, because we’re definitely going to need it against Bayonne."
The Cheetahs' squad also features the seasoned fullback Henry Immelman and the formidable former Bulls hooker Jaundré Schoeman, both of whom are expected to contribute significantly. The team will initiate their European tour at Stade Jean-Dauger and look forward to hosting the Dragons at St Helen’s in Swansea, marking a new chapter in their European engagements.
"This year, we don’t have any excuses. We’ve got a great squad, and we need to perform," Steyn declared, emphasizing the need for consistency regardless of venue. "It doesn’t matter where we play; we need to stick to our game plan and execute it better than the opposition on the day."
Looking ahead, the Cheetahs will also set up camp in Wales, an exciting prospect according to Steyn. As the team gears up for its matches, including a face-off against Zebre in Parma and wrapping the pool stage at St Helen’s against Perpignan, the blend of seasoned and emerging talent in the squad promises a thrilling campaign.
Here's the detailed list of forwards and backs that make up the Cheetahs' formidable team for this season:
Forwards:
1. Frankie Dos Reis
2. Aidon Davis
3. Carl Els
4. Siya Ningiza
5. Dux Manyama
6. Simon Miller
7. Tebogo Nkosi
8. Jaundré Schoeman
9. Victor Sekekete
10. Ben Pitout
11. Juan Venter
12. Chucky van der Westhuizen
13. Neels Volschenk
14. Tielman Niewoudt
15. Carl Wegner
Backs:
1. Michael Annies
2. Carel-Jan Coetzee
3. Faf de Klerk
4. Zander du Plessis
5. Marco Jansen van Vuren
6. Cohen Jasper
7. Henry Immelman
8. Prince Nkabinde
9. Jaco van der Walt
10. Erich Visser
This exciting blend of experience and fresh talent is set to make the Cheetahs a team to watch in their rigorous European tour. With strategic leadership and rigorous preparation, they are poised to make significant strides on the international stage.
