Cheetahs prop heads North

TRANSFER NEWS: Cheetahs prop Luan de Bruin has been released from his contract to take up other opportunities abroad.

According to South African media reports the tighthead prop is set to leave the Bloemfontein side at the end of Nomberber for contracts in England and Scotland.

South African newspaper the OFM Sport reported that the 28-year-old will join the English Premiership club Leicester Tigers on a seven-month contract before linking up with Edinburgh on a three-year deal.

De Bruin has been in fine form since the start of the season and was very impressive at the Springbok Showdown Green v Gold match at Newlands where he managed to put the Springbok loosehead Steven Kitshoff under pressure at scrum time.

His departure is as a major blow for the Cheetahs, who are already struggling in the tighthead department due to the ankle injury of the seasoned Namibian international, Aranos Coetzee.

However, the Cheetahs managed to sign Khutha Mchunu on a short-term deal from the Sharks.

While Hencus van Wyk, having played for the Sunwolves, Lions and the Bulls, is another forward the CHeetahs will hope will add experience to their team.

Speaking to OFM Sport, Cheetahs head coach Hawies Fourie admitted losing a player like De Bruin is a setback, however, he believes the CHeetahs have quality back-ups.

“It’s a big blow to lose a player of Luan’s stature,” Fourie said.

“He has been at the Cheetahs for about eight seasons now.

“He’s starting to come into his own, and he’s owning the starting position with Aranos being injured.

“It will be a big setback for us, but luckily we’ve Khutha on loan from the Sharks for a whole season and he will be with us until October next year.

“Then we’ve got a short-term contract with the experienced Hencus van Wyk. He has played for the Sunwolves, Lions and the Bulls in the Super Rugby, so we’ve got quality back-up,”

De Bruin is expected to make his final appearance against Griquas in Bloemfontein on November 21.

Source: OFM Sports