Griquas loose forward Carl Els could make his Cheetahs debut against Bayonne in the EPCR Challenge Cup in France next Sunday.
Cheetahs director of rugby Frans Steyn believes the back-to-back Currie Cup winner can make an immediate impact.
“We’re all excited to have Carl Els here,” Steyn told OFM Sport. “He had a great Currie Cup campaign, and hopefully he finds his feet quickly in our squad and gets comfortable with our system.
“We want him to continue that good form, because we’re definitely going to need it against Bayonne.”
The touring squad also includes experienced fullback Henry Immelman, who previously played for Montpellier and Edinburgh, and former Bulls hooker Jaundré Schoeman, who impressed during the recent Tbilisi Cup in Georgia.
The Cheetahs kick off their European campaign at the Stade Jean-Dauger before hosting the Dragons at their new European base, St Helen’s in Swansea, on 13 December.
MORE: Cheetahs find new Euro home
They then travel to Parma to face Zebre on 10 January before completing the pool stage against Perpignan at St Helen’s on 17 January.
“This year, we don’t have any excuses. We’ve got a great squad, and we need to perform,” Steyn said.
“It doesn’t matter where we play; we need to stick to our game plan and execute it better than the opposition on the day.
“We’re looking forward to going to Wales later in the competition and making it our new home away from home.”
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Cheetahs squad
Forwards: Frankie Dos Reis, Aidon Davis, Carl Els, Siya Ningiza, Dux Manyama, Simon Miller, Tebogo Nkosi, Jaundré Schoeman, Victor Sekekete, Ben Pitout, Juan Venter, Chucky van der Westhuizen, Neels Volschenk, Tielman Niewoudt, Carl Wegner.
Backs: Michael Annies, Carel-Jan Coetzee, Faf de Klerk, Zander du Plessis, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Cohen Jasper, Henry Immelman, Prince Nkabinde, Jaco van der Walt, Erich Visser.
Photo: Danie van der Lith/Gallo Images
The post Els arrival excites Frans appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Griquas loose forward Carl Els could make his Cheetahs debut against Bayonne in the EPCR Challenge Cup in France next Sunday.
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