Cheetahs get timely Bok boost for European tour

Frans Steyn is set for a return to action after he was included in the 28-man Cheetahs squad for their two European Challenge Cup matches in Wales and Italy.

Steyn has been out injured since December when he suffered a hamstring strain in the Cheetahs’ maiden European Challenge Cup match against Pau.

The 35-year-old Springbok’s inclusion in the Cheetahs squad means he has now regained full fitness and is available for selection to play.

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Loose forwards Friedle Olivier and Oupa Mohoje have also made the cut despite concerns over their availability.

Olivier is believed to have had an injury scare in training earlier in the week, while Mohoje is still serving a suspension, which will only come to an end to 9 January.

There was no place in the touring group for hooker Marnus van der Merwe (hamstring) and props Marne Coetzee (neck) and Mzamo Majola (loan), who have been replaced by Alulutho Tshakweni and Conraad van Vuuren in the squad.

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The Cheetahs will leave Bloemfontein on Sunday, 8 January, to travel to Wales for their Round 3 Challenge Cup match against Scarlets on Friday, 13 January in Llanelli.

Their next match will be against Pau in Parma on Sunday 22 January.

It will be a home game for the Cheetahs, who host their home games at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma, Italy. One of the conditions of participation in the 2022/23 European Challenge Cup was for the Cheetahs to base in Europe.

Cheetahs touring squad for European Challenge Cup matches: 

Forwards — Rynier Bernardo, Aranos Coetzee, Schalk Ferreira, Marko Janse van Rensburg, Daniel Maartens, Oupa Mohoje, Friedle Olivier, Sibabalo Qoma, Jeandré Rudolph, Victor Sekekete (captain), Alulutho Tshakweni, Conraad van Vuuren, Louis van der Westhuizen, Hencus van Wyk, Janus Venter, Mzwanele Zito.

Backs — David Brits, Robert Ebersohn, Reinhardt Fortuin, Munier Hartzenberg, Daniel Kasende, Rewan Kruger, Andell Loubser, Tapiwa Mafura, Siya Masuku, Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn.