Thomson, who joins the Cheetahs from the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland, will be linking up with the team shortly as they continue their preparations for the upcoming Franchise Cup.

The former Junior Springbok and Maties backline general told OFM Sport that he is keen to play alongside a couple of the Cheetahs' more seasoned campaigners such as Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn.

“Things are a bit crazy at the moment trying to get all the travel arrangements made in order to get in Bloemfontein on time to start.

“My fiancé and I are really excited to get back home. It will be an opportunity for us to see our families. We have not really seen them in over a year due to the lockdown and travel restrictions.

“I’m really excited to be linking up with the Cheetahs. They are a really exciting team with a super dangerous backline when they get going. They play a keeping-the-ball-alive brand of rugby which is very exciting and I look forward to forming a part of that. I look forward to contributing where I can.

“The possibility of Ruan (Pienaar) at nine and Frans (Steyn) at 12 is something I'm really look forward to. These are guys that when magazines still had centrefold posters, I would put them up on my wall. I’m really keen to pick their brains about rugby on and off of the field.

“I’m keen to get back home and run around in the sunshine. I haven’t done that in quite a while, and also the altitude the first couple of weeks should be fun.”

Meanwhile, the Springbok lock, Marvin Orie, has been linked with a move to the Cheetahs and it is believed that he has been offered a sizable contract, bigger than the one he earned at the Lions. Orie has, however, also received an offer from Western Province and the Stormers.

The Cheetahs are preparing for the upcoming Franchise Cup, with their campaign starting on 28 February when they tackle the Stormers in Cape Town.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport