Cheetahs raid Kimberley and Nelspruit for Currie Cup

TRANSFER NEWS: The Cheetahs announced the signing of four new players to bolster the squad heading into the 2022 Currie Cup - which is expected to get underway in January.

Flank Gideon van der Merwe, wing Daniel Kasende and the props Nqobisizwe Mxoli and Marné Coetzee will be joining the Cheetahs.

Van der Merwe, Kasende and Mxoli join the Cheetahs from the Griquas, while Coetzee links up with the team from the Pumas.

The 26-year-old Potchefstroom-born Van der Merwe also played his senior rugby at the Leopards and he is excited about the next chapter of his promising career.

"I'm super excited to join the Cheetahs in November and I look forward to maybe playing in some European rugby and going overseas,"Van der Merwe said.

"Saying goodbye to the Griquas wasn't easy because I was there for almost three years.

"It was really special for me, they helped me develop as a player and they will stay really close to my heart."

Van der Merwe is contracted at the Cheetahs until 31 October 2022.

Kasende in his turn was a star for the University of the Witwatersrand in the Varsity Cup before joining the Griquas in 2020.

He made his debut for the side from Kimberley during the Super Rugby Unlocked series.

The outside back feels that the Cheetahs famous brand of attacking rugby will suit his style of play.

"I'm very excited to be joining the Cheetahs," Kasende said.

"I really enjoy their attacking style of rugby and I'm looking forward to the opportunity. I think for me, I'm really excited for what is to come and play against European sides.

"It will be something that's really exciting as we step out of what we have become accustomed to due to lockdown. I'm looking forward to playing my part and adding value where I can."

Kasende is contracted until 31 October 2023.

The Durban-born Mxoli is a product of Westville Boys' High School and also represented the University of Pretoria Tuks in the Varsity Cup and the Bulls at various levels before joining the Griquas.

He is a strong scrummager and was instrumental in the Griquas success during the recent Currie Cup that saw them reach the semifinals.

Mxoli, who will be joining the Cheetahs on November 1, is contracted until 31 October 2023.

The 28-year-old Marné Coetzee is a product of both Hoërskool Waterkloof and Glenwood High School.

He represented the Blue Bulls and Sharks as a junior, before moving to Nelspruit in 2015. He also enjoyed a brief stint at the SWD Eagles. He is a former South African School and Junior Springbok tighthead prop.

"I'm enjoying Bloemfontein," Coetzee said.

"I must say that coach Hawies Fourie and the team has welcomed me with warms hearts.

"They've made me feel at home after spending the best part of seven years at the Pumas. It wasn't an easy decision, but I am very blessed to have gotten the opportunity here and make a difference at the Cheetahs."

More good news is that the following Cheetah players extended their contracts: Aluluthu Tshakweni, Cameron Dawson, Wilmar Arnoldi, Louis van der Westhuizen, Janus Venter, Aranos Coetzee, Conraad van Vuuren, Rynier Bernardo, Siya Masuku, Evardi Boshoff, Clayton Blommetjies and Malcolm Jaer.