Ali Mgijima secures move away from the Pumas

Inside centre Ali Mgijima will not be a Pumas player for much longer, having wrapped up a move elsewhere for next season.

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Mgijima has been a stalwart for the Pumas in recent years, and now this publication can reveal he will be turning out in different colours soon. 

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The powerful inside centre arrived at the Pumas, having been apart of the Cheetahs academy structures. Mgijima’s search for regular game time at senior level took the Eastern Cape-born star to Mbombela, where he quickly established himself as a key cog of their backline. The consistency he displayed for the side over the last two seasons has seen him catch the attention of many local rugby lovers, but it seems, it is not just the supporters, but coaches and unions too. 

Mgijima returns to the Cheetahs

Although Mgijima is poised to turn out in different colours next season, it will be very familiar colours for him, as The South African News can reveal that he has re-signed with the Cheetahs on a two-year deal that will see him see out the current season with the Mpumalanga-based side and join his new teammates on 1 November, just in time for the new season. A good and able runner when he either finds or creates space, it is perhaps his aggressive and abrasive nature that has seen the Free State side come calling for his services again. A player that never shies away from the ‘ugly’ side of the game, and can often been seen operating as an extra forward for the Pumas, it makes perfect sense why his new employers would look in his direction. 

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The Cheetahs currently have decorated Springbok veteran Frans Steyn as their inside centre, a player who offers the same attributes that Mgijima does. In Steyn’s injury enforced absence this season, The Bloemfontein-based side have often struggled to find that extra thrust to get them over the line from midfielder. Now with the acquisition of the 28-year-old, they don’t only get a like for like that can supplement their cause should Steyn call time on his career at the end of the current season, but one that can ensure they do not lose such qualities that are key to their game plan in the long run either. 

Pumas exodus continues

Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse will undoubtedly be a hurt by the lose of Mgijima, a player he has often leaned on, particularly in their Currie Cup winning campaign last season. Besides just the loss of Mgijima though, over the last two seasons the defending champions have lost key personnel such as ex-skipper Willie Engelbrecht and Phumzile Maqondwana. This season they have also been confirmed to have lost Sebastian de Klerk, Diego Appollis and IG Prinsloo.

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Mgijima was able to make a handful of appearances in Europe during his initial stint with the Cheetahs, but famously came back to his former stomping ground to break the hearts of their faithful last season, scoring a last minute try. That then knocked them out of last season’s Currie Cup at the semi-final stage.