The Cheetahs will travel to face the Ospreys in Wales next weekend in round seven of the Guinness PRO14.

The coach Hawies Fourie had a near full-strength squad at his disposal on Monday morning apart from a few niggles.

The most notable players that did not partake in the training session was hooker Joseph Dweba who is struggling with a knee injury, while the centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg who has back issue.

Dries Swanepoel is serving the last part of his suspension for his red card against Connacht.

This could pave the way for Chris Smit, who trained with the team for the first time, to be included in the squad which will fly out to Wales next week on Wednesday. Smith was looking exceptionally sharp during training and also displayed a very good work rate.

The loose forward, Jasper Wiese, will know his fate on Wednesday for the red card he picked up against the Cardiff Blues. Wiese is still training with the team but it is highly unlikely that he will board the flight to Wales.

This can allow for the new signing, Chris Massyn, to stake his claim at a spot in the squad and travel with the team for the first time.

Very much like Sias Koen, Massyn is an abrasive player who enjoys the physical stuff and is a match made in heaven for European conditions.

Massyn told OFM Sport that he welcomes competition in the team and also feels that playing in Europe was one of the biggest factors in him signing a contract at the Cheetahs.

“It is a bit of a double-edged sword here at the Cheetahs. We have such quality players here, especially in the loose forward department.

“There are guys like Aidon Davis and Oupa Mohoje who have all been waiting for their chance to play, and there are a lot of young guys as well.

“That’s the thing about rugby, it’s all about waiting for your chance to play and being ready when that opportunity comes, and hopefully get in some game time. If it comes I will have to prove what I can give to the team.

“It was a major factor when I decided to come here from the Stormers. I think that European rugby is going to suit me a lot better. It’s a lot more physical dominated forwards play so, I am quite keen to show what I can do.”

The Cheetahs travel to Wales next week on Wednesday and face the Ospreys on Saturday, 30 November, in Swansea.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport