Cheetahs Rest Faf de Klerk for 3-Match Toyota Challenge Tour to Georgia
- Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk was left out of the Cheetahs' 28-man squad for their Georgia trip
- Coach Frans Steyn named several young players in the touring group, including prop Sibabalwe Booi and flyhalf Darius Erwee
- The Cheetahs face three matches in Tbilisi before launching their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign in October
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The Cheetahs have named a 28-man squad for the away leg of the Toyota Challenge in Tbilisi, Georgia, without Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk.
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Coach Frans Steyn confirmed that a deliberate decision was made to rest players who featured heavily during the Currie Cup, with the team's upcoming European campaign factoring into the selection call. The Cheetahs open their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign against Bayonne at the Stade Jean-Dauger on Sunday, 18 October.
Cheetahs' Georgia fixtures
The touring squad will contest three matches in Tbilisi: against Portuguese outfit Lusitanos on Thursday, 24 September; Spain's Iberians on Tuesday, 29 September; and Georgian side Black Lion on Sunday, 4 October. Currie Cup champions Griquas and runners-up the Pumas are also participating in the tournament.
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Steyn described the tour as an opportunity to rebuild match sharpness across the squad.
"The focus is primarily on match fitness and allowing players to get valuable game time, particularly those returning from injury," he said. "It is important that we get them back to full fitness and into a competitive environment."
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Young players to gain senior exposure
Among those named in the travelling group are prop Sibabalwe Booi, flyhalf Darius Erwee and centre Duncan Basson, all of whom will gain their first meaningful exposure to the senior Cheetahs environment through the tournament.
Loose forward Siya Ningiza is set to make his debut for the franchise after recovering from injury, while utility back Ntokozo Makhaza is also returning to competitive action following a lay-off. Hooker Juandré Schoeman, who recently joined the Cheetahs from the Bulls, is also included in the squad.
Faf de Klerk shares new family photos
Briefly News previously reported that Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk posted sweet new photos of his wife Mine and their two young daughters on Instagram
The de Klerk family has grown quickly, with both Remi-Ré and Yuke arriving within a year of each other.
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Source: Briefly News
