This comes following the departure of Tian Schoeman who joined Bath in England halfway through the Cheetahs’ Currie Cup campaign.

The 28-year-old Zeilinga played in 56 games from 2016 to 2018, become joining the Canon Eagles in the Japanese Top League.

Currently, the former SA A player is without a contract.

While nothing regarding Zeilinga’s return to the Free State has been finalised yet, the coach Hawies Fourie has indicated that he is also considering other options at flyhalf.

Earlier Fourie told OFM Sport that contract players now poses a lot of challenges.

“Most of the players in South Africa’s contracts only expire at the end of October. We will go through a tough time in the Franchise Cup. We will have to punch above our weight again.

“That is the way it is with the Cheetahs and we will find a way.”

Over the weekend it was also reported that another former Cheetah, Rynier Bernardo, is also set for a return to Bloemfontein. He too joined the Canon Eagles after leaving the Cheetahs in 2018.

Bernardo in his turn informed OFM Sport that once everything has been finalised he will comment.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport