The team flew out to Japan on Monday morning to play a friendly match against Toyota Verblitz in the Land of the Rising Sun, and this match will also serve as a warm-up match for the world’s oldest and toughest domestic rugby competition.

The team has opted to rest a few players while other are injured and have international commitments.

Raymond Rhule didn’t board the flight to the Far East after becoming a dad a few weeks ago and will also be taking a breather after playing for a full 80 minutes in all 15 of the Cheetahs Super Rugby appearances.

Torsten van Jaarsveld and Aranos Coetzee will be representing Namibia and will possibly miss the Free State’s opening game of the tournament. The captain, Francois Venter, has concussion and is also being rested along with the Bulls bound Springbok lock, Lood de Jager.

Francois Uys is also heading to Japan, but not with the Free State, he is to play for Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars in the Japanese Top League over the next six months.

Coach Franco Smith surprised on Saturday when he included the newly acquired prop, Tom Botha, for the trip to Nagoya.

Botha hasn’t even been to Bloemfontein yet, but instead met up with the team at O.R. Tambo International airport in Johannesburg for their long flight east. The front-rower impressed at the Southern Kings this season, prompting the Cheetahs to offer the Paul Roos Gymnasium (Stellenbosch) old boy a contract.

OFM Sport caught up with Botha while he was waiting for his new teammates at the airport and he player said he was delighted to be joining the team. 

“I’m really excited to join them, I know a few of the guys, I’ve played with a few of the guys in the past like, Tier Schoeman, and Reniel Hugo.

“I’m just really grateful to get the opportunity and meet the guys. I think it’s a good way to come into the team.”

The one aspect of the Cheetahs game that has been exceptional this season was their scrum and Botha feels that as a prop this is exactly what a player wants when joining a new team. 

“I’m definitely really looking forward to that. I’ve spoken to Daan (Human) a few times and I really like the way he thinks and his values in coaching.

“I couldn’t ask for more than that. He is very experienced and has played in France for a long time and definitely knows what he is talking about. You can see there is an incredible vibe, they just get excited with every scrum.”

Whether or not the new man will actually play against Verblitz, remains to be seen.

Saturday morning’s match between Verblitz and the Free State Cheetahs in Toyota City will kick off at 11:00 (SA time) and will be televised.

Toyota Free State touring team:

Forwards: Tom Botha, Tienie Burger, Uzair Cassiem, Aranos Coetzee, Jacques du Toit, Joseph Dweba, Elandré Huggett, Reniel Hugo, Armandt Koster, Charles Marais, Oupa Mohoje (captain), Ox Nche, Tier Schoeman, Henco Venter, Carl Wegner.

Backs: Rayno Benjamin, Clayton Blommetjies, Sias Ebersohn, Tian Meyer, Sergeal Petersen, William Small-Smith, Michael van der Spuy, Shaun Venter, Fred Zeilinga.

Morgan Piek OFM News