Former Grey stars return from France

TRANSFER NEWS: The Free State Cheetahs continue to bolster their ranks during this COVID-19-enforced lockdown period.

The Cheetahs secured the services of two former Grey College stars, George Cronjé and Marcell Muller.

They are joined in the 'return-to-Bloemfontein' queue by Ian Groenewald, who started for Bulls in the last two SuperRugby matches.

Groenewald, a lock, will be joining the Cheetahs on November 1 from the Griquas.

He, however, represented the Bulls during the 2020 SuperRugby season.

Groenewald played under Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie for the University of the Stellenbosch during several Varsity Cup campaigns.

Following his stint at the Maties, he played for Verona in Italy and also had a short stint in France - playing as a medical joker for Toulon.

Groenewald was contracted by the Griquas in 2019.

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"I look forward to joining the Cheetahs this year, playing with some old teammates again, making new memories and reliving some old memories," Said Groenewald

"I am also looking forward to experiencing the PRO14. I think that is going to be a lot different to Super Rugby, and I look forward to testing myself against the UK sides, the players on that side and making new friendships."

Star of the 2019 South African Schools team and the vice-captain of the national side, George Cronje will be an ideal fit at loose forward the Cheetahs.

He is a mobile and physical loose forward, and possesses natural leadership.

After school he went to France, where he was contracted by the Top 14 club Clermont.

Marcell Muller is a big and powerful wing, who had a phenomenal strike rate for the Grey College first XV.

Muller stands at 1.87-metres tall and tips the scales at 102-kilogrammes.

For his size, he is incredibly mobile and knows how to find the try-line.

He was contracted by the French Top 14 club Montpelier after school.

Following the return to Bloemfontein of veteran Springboks Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn, Muller becomes the third player to sign for the Cheetahs from Montpellier in the past two seasons.

The pair will report for duty as Cheetahs players as from July 1.

"We are delighted to have George and Marcell back with us at the Cheetahs. It’s important for more me to recruit the best players in Bloemfontein straight from school." said Fourie.

"They have a bright future and we look forward to coaching them and having them all in our squad."

Source: @CheetahsRugby