The Cheetahs will start their preparations for the 2023-24 season on Wednesday, with United States scrumhalf Ruben de Haas among the new additions to the squad.
The Currie Cup title holders have bolstered their squad with nine signings, while a further 13 players have signed contract extensions to continue their careers in Bloemfontein.
The Cheetahs will be facing Super Rugby side the Western Force in a four-game series starting at the end of August, which will serve as preparation for their return to the Challenge Cup.
Among the players joining the Cheetahs is veteran lock Carl Wegner, who returns from Italian side Benetton for his fourth stint in Bloemfontein, where he started his career in 2012. The 32-year-old has also played for Stade Francais and Toyota Verblitz.
Former Saracens scrumhalf De Haas has also rejoined the Cheetahs, following a two-season stint in London. The 24-year-old started his professional career with the Cheetahs in 2018 and has 28 caps for the USA.
Other additions to the squad are former Stormers flyhalf Abner van Reenen (returning to South Africa after a stint with Italian outfit Rovigo Delta), scrumhalf Reagan Oranje (Griquas), and prop trio Banele Mthenjane (Lions), Justin Forwood (Griquas) and Laurence Victor (Toyota Academy).
💥PLAYER MOVEMENT💥
The Toyota Cheetahs will start preparing for the third edition of the Toyota Challenge and EPCR Challenge Cup when they gather at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein for the pre-season on Wednesday, 26 July.@ToyotaSA pic.twitter.com/mPHAwLuUNq
— Toyota Cheetahs (@CheetahsRugby) July 25, 2023
North-West University’s Varsity Cup hooker Vernon Paul and former Pumas centre Ali Mgijima will join the Cheetahs on 1 November.
The players to sign new contracts are prop Schalk Ferreira, flyhalf Reinhardt Fortuin, fullback Cohen Jasper, utility back Andell Loubser, scrumhalf Rewan Kruger, loose forward Andisa Ntsila, lock Rynier Bernardo, hooker Marnus van der Merwe, flank Gideon van der Merwe, hooker Louis van der Westhuizen, centre Evardi Boshoff, flank Oupa Mohoje, and centre Robert Ebersohn.
Sharks-bound George Cronje and Siya Masuku have been joined by lock Jean Droste, prop Conraad van Vuuren (both Lions) and scrumhalf Zinedine Booysen (also Sharks) in leaving the Cheetahs.
Photo: Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images