Ospreys load up on Cheetahs for SA safari

17/04/2024 15:36

NEWS: Ospreys arrived in South Africa for a two-match United Rugby Championship safari, boosted by the news that three Cheetahs players have rejoined them.

Veteran Cheetahs lock and captain Victor Sekekete, centre Evardi Boshoff and loose forward Jeandre Rudolph rejoined Ospreys - following a brief stint with the Cheetahs during their European sojourn.

The trio joined Ospreys earlier this year as part of a player-exchange agreement between the two teams, with four Welsh players - Tristan Davies (back row forward/lock), Lewis Rhys Jones (second row forward), Will Hickey (back row forward), and Cameron Jones (loosehead prop) - arriving in Bloemfontein last week.

Rudolph and Sekekete played in the 22-27 Challenge Cup loss to Clermont Auvergne in France, while Sekekete captained the Cheetahs in their SA Cup (domestic second tier) match against Eastern Province in Bloemfontein this past weekend.

They have now been released for Ospreys URC encounters with the Stormers (in Cape Town on Saturday) and the Bulls (at Loftus Versfeld a week later).

(Continued below...)

* Meanwhile the Cheetahs announced the homecoming of Aidon Davis, who will rejoin them in July.

Departing the squad in June 2022, Davis ventured to the Exeter Chiefs, where he featured in 25 matches in the Premiership.

"Aidon is a man of integrity, and we couldn't be happier to welcome him back," Director of Rugby Frans Steyn said.

"His tireless work ethic and positive demeanour are assets to the team, and his wealth of experience will undoubtedly bolster our efforts."

Davis donned the Cheetah jersey against Western Province in August 2018.

He went on to feature in more than 50 appearances for the team.

As anticipation builds, the Cheetahs gear up for the forthcoming Currie Cup season, scheduled to commence on the first weekend of July.

With Davis's return, the team eagerly anticipates his impact on the field.

@king365ed
@rugby365com

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