The CUT Ixias player, Booysen, was contracted by the Cheetahs on a short-term deal along with his teammate, Cohen Jasper.

The two stand-out players have played a big role in the Ixias being serious contenders for the semi-finals this year.

Booysen told OFM Sport that he still has a job to do at the Ixias before he starts shifting his focus to the Cheetahs.

“I'm definitely looking forward to working with Ruan (Pienaar) and Tian (Meyer) as well as the other seniors there.

“My focus and first priority is on winning the Varsity Cup. That will remain the sole focus for now. After that, I will shift my focus to joining the senior boys.

“I am very excited about it and hopefully in the next year or two I can make my senior debut and put myself on the radar.”

The Cheetahs coach, Hawies Fourie, in his turn added that Booysen has proven himself over the past few years and earning a contract is just reward, especially with the American international Ruben de Haas, leaving to join Saracens in England.

“With Ruben leaving I thought that I would be appropriate to offer Zinedine a contract.

“He is a local scrumhalf and he has played well over the last few years, so we wanted to reward him for that.”

The Ixias will face the NWU Eagles, UWC and Tuks next week in Pretoria during the third Varsity Cup bubble.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport