Cheetahs set for Scotland international boost
TRANSFER NEWS: The Cheetahs are set for a huge playmaking boost ahead of their 2025/26 Challenge Cup campaign.
Former Scotland utility back Jaco van der Walt will reportedly join the Bloemfontein-based outfit, according to OFM.
Van der Walt formed part of the Lions team that won the Currie Cup against Western Province in 2015 and played in the 2016 Super Rugby Final, which was won by the Hurricanes.
He joined Edinburgh in 2017 and became eligible for Scotland in 2020, and made his Test debut for his adopted nation that same year, before returning to South Africa for a stint with the Bulls in 2023.
Cheetahs Director of Rugby Frans Steyn admitted that his team were short on flyhalves and welcomed Van der Walt’s services.
“I think at flyhalf we are a little bit thin, and we made it work with Franco [Smith] and Blomme [Clayton Blommetjies].
“But Blomme wants to play No.15 and Franco wants to play No.12, so we need a proper flyhalf here, and then you’ve got George [Lourens] who is also back.
“So, experience-wise, Jaco has played at flyhalf for how long, he played with Scotland for how long, so hopefully we can get it over the line with all the small things sorted for him to be here.”
The Cheetahs are also without the services of Namibia international Tiaan Swanepoel, who went under the knife for a hip operation.
“We’re still waiting to hear from Tiaan – he went for the hip operation, so I think they said it’s four months.
“So we’ll have to wait and see if that heals up nicely or not.”
Furthermore, the Cheetahs also secured the services of former Bulls Under-21 captain Juan Smal (hooker) and ex Pumas outside centre De-An Ackermann.
