The Cheetahs main aim for now is to start preparing for their eagerly anticipated return to Europe where they will play in the European Challenge Cup from December.

There were several familiar faces missing and most notably those of the versatile Aidon Davis and Clayton Blommetjies who have both moved on to different teams.

With that, there were a couple of new players that reported for duty.

One of the new faces is the lock and loose-forward, Friedle Olivier, who joins the Cheetahs from Enisei-STM in Russia.

Olivier told OFM Sport he looks forward to playing in Europe later in the year.

“I think that the Challenge Cup that lies ahead is a great opportunity. Not just for me, but for everyone here as well.

“We can go and show the European teams what we are all about. As the coach said this morning, as the 'stiefkind' of South African rugby, we can show the world what we are capable of.

“We can still compete up there with the best.”

The prop, Hencus van Wyk, is also back at the Cheetahs following a short spell in the USA where he played for the San Diego Legion. There is an outside chance that they could join the Cheetahs earlier.

More reinforcements will be arriving at the end of October, as the two Currie Cup winners, Daniel Maartens and Tapiwa Mafura.

The coach, Hawies Fourie, in his turn admitted that their last-minute defeat to the Pumas in the semi-finals of the Currie Cup was a bitter pill to swallow and it did take time to get over the disappointment.

While that game is in the past, Fourie told OFM Sport that his big message to the team is to focus on what lies ahead, and on Tuesday the Pumas disaster will be finally buried.

“We had a meeting on Monday morning after the Pumas loss, and we discussed everything inside-out with the players.

“On the Thursday, we had a coaches review which lasted six hours. We really went through everything from the whole season and we had a look at where we can improve.

“Tomorrow (Tuesday) will be the final conclusion of the Pumas game and in that meeting, we will just put it all behind us.

The Cheetahs will also host the Toyota Challenge September and October in preparation for the Challenge Cup.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport