Frans Steyn gives green light to Cheetahs' new No.10
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Cheetahs head coach Frans Steyn believes his team will cope in difficult conditions with Jaco van der Walt in the playmaker role.
The 31-year-old Scotland international joined the Bloemfontein side from the Bulls, and he has been included in their tour squad for matches against the Exeter Chiefs and Stade Francais in the Challenge Cup.
Van der Walt’s game time was limited in Pretoria, but Steyn is ready to throw his full support behind him.
“I’ve played against him [Van der Walt] when he was still at Edinburgh, and I was at Montpellier,” said Steyn.
He is a good guy, and I think he just needs a little bit of backing.
“You saw his touches and understanding of the game in training. I think he will be good for us.
Steyn has also bolstered his midfield with the inclusion of De-an Ackermann and Zander du Plessis.
“De-an reminds me of Benhard [Janse van Rensburg] with the way he plays and his touches on the ball,” Steyn added.
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Meanwhile, Louis ‘Chucky’ van der Westhuizen will captain the team in the tournament.
The Cheetahs’ opener against Exeter will be at Sandy Park on December 7, before they welcome Stade Francais Paris to the NRCA Stadium in Amsterdam on December 13.
In January, they will face Ulster in Amsterdam before they face Racing 92 at the Paris La Defense Arena.
See below for the tour squad:
