The Cheetahs remain uncertain whether they will have the services of Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk for the Currie Cup.
De Klerk recently signed a two-year deal with the Free State outfit and has already spent time training with the squad, but Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn admits his availability could depend on Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’ plans.
With Cobus Reinach, Grant Williams and Morné van den Berg among the scrumhalves currently battling injuries, the Springboks are facing a shortage of experienced options ahead of the international season.
“I don’t know what Rassie’s plans are,” Steyn said. “A guy must wait and see what happens there and whether we’ll have him for the Currie Cup. I don’t know that either.
“There are a lot of injuries at scrumhalf. It would be great to have him here as soon as possible, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
Despite the uncertainty, Steyn has already seen the influence De Klerk can have on the squad.
“He immediately came in and started helping the nines and 10s,” said Steyn. “He got involved straight away and I think it’s going to be very good for our team with him, Jaco van der Walt, Marco Jansen van Vuren and Rewan Kruger around.
“We can make the younger guys better with the experience we now have in the group.”
MORE: Cheetahs face Portuguese challenge
Steyn added that De Klerk is unlikely to feature immediately in the Toyota Challenge, which begins on Friday when the Cheetahs face Portuguese side Lusitanos.
Lusitanos are, in effect, a Portugal A side and feature six players who were part of Portugal’s squad for the historic Test against the Springboks in Bloemfontein in July 2024.
Toyota Challenge fixtures
Friday, 5 June
1:30pm: Pumas vs Black Lion
2:30pm: Griquas vs Romania A
6pm: Cheetahs vs Portugal
Wednesday, 10 June
1:30pm: Griquas vs Black Lion
2:30pm: Pumas vs Portugal
6pm: Cheetahs vs Romania A
Sunday, 14 June
12pm: Griquas vs Portugal
2pm: Pumas vs Romania A
4:30pm: Cheetahs vs Black Lion
Photo: @Canon_Eagles/X
