Veteran playmaker Ruan Pienaar has been included in the Cheetahs squad for their European Challenge Cup opener against Zebre in Parma.
Going into what could be the final year of his career spread across two decades, Pienaar will travel to Italy with the Cheetahs for the opening fixture of their European campaign.
The 39-year-old signed a one-year extension on his Cheetahs contract back in June, guaranteeing that he will play into his 40th birthday.
Having made their European debut as an invitational team in last year’s Challenge Cup, the Cheetahs have once again been invited to take part in the tournament for the 2023-24 season.
The Cheetahs will open their campaign against Zebre on Saturday, before hosting the Sharks in Bloemfontein on Sunday, 17 December.
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Full Cheetahs squad: Forwards: Rynier Bernardo, Schalk Ferreira, Justin Forwood, Marko Jane van Rensburg, Daniel Maartens, Friedle Olivier, Sibabalo Qoma, Jeandre Rudolph, Victor Sekekete, Alulutho Tshakweni, Henus van Wyk, Gideon van der Merwe, Marnus van der Merwe, Louis van der Westhuizen, Laurence Victor, Carl Wegner. Backs: Evardi Boshoff, Reinhardt Fortuin, Cohen Jasper, Daniel Kasende, Rewan Kruger, George Lourens, Tapiwa Mafura, Ali Mgijima, Ruan Pienaar.
Photo; Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePi