Following the news earlier this week that his team mate at the Cheetahs and the national side, Lood de Jager, will be leaving the franchise for the Bulls next year, the news is most welcome.

There has been speculation that the ever exciting player would be looking for a new challenge, however, the former Shimlas skipper has decided to stay.

Mohoje said he is excited to continue this career at the side which gave him his breakthrough into senior rugby.

“I’m very excited about continuing my rugby career with the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. I’ve literally been here all my life and I’m really happy to stay,” said Mohoje.

“The Free State is like a family to me. They’ve raised me since my under 18 rugby days and I’ve learned all my rugby here.” 

While the team has been going through a transition and have met everyone’s expectations in the Super Rugby, the young side look to make an impact in the Currie Cup later this year.

“It was a tough season for us in the Super Rugby series this year but we have high hopes of doing well in the Currie Cup,” Mohoje added.

“Last year we reached the semi-finals and we (players and coaches) have set high standards for ourselves this year. I think we’re going to reach the final and take the trophy.”   

The Cheetahs next tackle the Sharks in their penultimate match of the Super Rugby and following their 35-29 victory in Durban last season, the side has high hopes of emulating that performance.

Saturday’s match at Kings’ Park in Durban kicks off at 19:15.

Cheetahs – 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Sergeal Petersen,13 Francois Venter (captain), 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 Shaun Venter, 8 Tier Schoeman, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Uzair Cassiem, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Maks van Dyk, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements - 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Aranos Coetzee, 19 Reniel Hugo, 20 Henco Venter, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 George Whitehead, 23 William Small-Smith.

Sharks – 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 S'bura Sithole, 13  JP Pietersen, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Garth April, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Lucdu Preez, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Tendai Mtawarira (captain).

Replacements – 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Ruan Botha, 20 Tera Mtembu, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Heimar Williams, 23 Curwin Bosch.

Morgan Piek/OFM News