Cheetahs banking on De Haas for European trip

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: The Cheetahs has named a strong 27-player squad for their trip to Europe ahead of their upcoming EPCR Challenge Cup matches.

The Bloemfontein-based side will travel to Amsterdam for their opening clash of the 2024/5 season against Perpignan on Sunday, December 8.

Following the clash in Amsterdam, the team will make their way to Wales for their next match against Cardiff on Saturday, December 14 before returning home for the Christmas break.

The Cheetahs will return to Amsterdam to host Zebre on Sunday, January 12 followed by a clash against Lyon to finish the pool phase on January 18 in France.

One of the EPCR’s conditions for the Cheetahs’ participation in the Challenge Cup is that the team is based in Europe and will, therefore, be playing the Round One and Round Three home games at the National Rugby Centre Amsterdam (NRCA Stadium).

Cheetahs Director of Rugby Frans Steyn explained the squad selection and the thought process that went into it, admitting it was a tough task to decide which players will jet to Europe.

“We had some tough conversations, it’s never nice, but we can just take 26/27 players,” Steyn said.

“A guy like Pierre Uys gets an opportunity so I think from the start that I’ve been here [as Director of Rugby], it’s the first time that we are in a position like this where we have to talk about who we take and who stays behind.

“It’s a nice problem to have but it’s a difficult thing to explain to players.

“That’s the squad we think will give us the wins we need at the moment.” Steyn added.

Steyn also explained the selection of loose forwards Pierre Uys and where other non-touring players are currently in the pecking order.

“We play Perpignan who’s got a big pack, I’m not taking anything away from Neels [Volschenk] he worked hard during the pre-season, as did Smiley [Jandré Nel], there’s a lot of names.”

The article continues below…

USA scrumhalf Ruben de Haas has an instrument role to play in terms of his experience who recently still played in European conditions for his adopted country against Spain.

“We haven’t played for a while, so to have a guy that’s played for the USA the last couple of weeks, especially in Europe, I think will help us out especially at No.9.”

The article continues below…

Head coach Izak van der Westhuizen also gave this thoughts on Namibia international Louis van der Westhuizen and the role he will play for the Cheetahs.

“Chucky [Louis van der Westhuizen] is a great guy to have back, I think we missed him during the Currie Cup,” said Van der Westhuizen.

“I think as a leader he adds a lot, he’s a great team guy as well.

“Just the value he adds you can’t put into words.

“I think the competition there is at hooker as well now between him, Vernon [Paulo] and the other guys…there’s a lot of competition for the same spot so everyone needed to raise their game.”

The article continues below…

Cheetahs travelling squad

Forwards: Aranos Coetzee, Schalk Ferreira, Corne Fourie, Robert Hunt, Daniel Maartens, Oupa Mohoje, Friedle Olivier, Vernon Paulo, Jeandre Rudolph, Victor Sekekete, Pierre Uys, Henus van Wyk, Gideon van der Merwe, Louis van der Westhuizen, Laurence Victor, Carl Wegner.
Backs: Michael Annies, Carel-Jan Coetzee, Ruben de Haas, Munier Hartzenberg, Marco Janse van Vuren, Cohen Jasper, Rewan Kruger, George Lourens, Ali Mgijima, Prince Nkabinde, Ethan Wentzel.

Cheetahs Challenge Cup Fixtures: