The 24-year-old Kruger is an understudy to the 88-Test veteran Pienaar, who extended his stay at the Cheetahs until the end of next year.

On Tuesday Pienaar as well as his good friend, the centre Frans Steyn committed to continue playing for the Cheetahs until at least the end of next year.

In recent times Kruger has been getting a lot more game time at the Cheetahs, especially since Tian Meyer left the team to take up a short-term contract with the NTT Red Hurricanes in Japan.

Kruger is one of several young scrumhalves in the Cheetahs set up with the others being Branden de Kock, Zinedine Booysen and Juan-Dee Oliver.

The former Junior Springbok, Kruger, told OFM Sport that while he will have to wait longer to move to the starting team, he is happy to learn from his captain.

Personally, my game has grown tremendously over the last six months just by training with Piney and watching him. Just learning how goes about his business.

He has just a great competitor and a very professional player, so, I'm very happy to be working with him for another year.

It puts me back in the pecking order for another year, but that is fine by me. Personally, I think there is no better guy to learn from for another year.

I'm very grateful to be working with him for longer, and I do think that goes for all the scrumhalves in the team.

He is just a class act and one of the classiest players in the game. For me it's nothing bad or negative. It's just another opportunity for another year and actually an honour to be tapping into his experience.

On Saturday the Griquas and Cheetahs battle it out in Kimberley in the Currie Cup.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport