De Kock joined the Cheetahs from University of the Western Cape (UWC) last year, however, he sustained an ACL injury in a warm-up game against Zimbabwe in November.

He has since gone through his rehabilitation and reported for training with the rest of the team yesterday.

While the Cheetahs boast with scrumhalves such as the captain, Ruan Pienaar - De Kock told OFM Sport that he eager to prove himself.

“I'm very excited to be starting with the team again in doing all of the skills and fitness work.

“I'm really hopeful for a good season now with the Toyota Challenge happening again. With that I hope that I can at least get back into the game again.

“I'm always up for a challenge and I want to prove to the coaches and everyone else that I deserve this opportunity. I just want to showcase what I have to offer.”

While a long-term injury is always a blow to a player or a team, De Kock, is of the view that he came through it with relative ease. He believes that a previous ACL injury made it easy for him to deal with the injury a lot easier.

“For me it wasn't that difficult because I've had an ACL injury before. I was already mentally prepared for a second one. I didn't really let it get me down. I felt down a little after the game in which I got injured and for a few days after that.

“Other than that, I was mentally really to take on the second ACL injury.”

The Cheetahs are using the preseason to prepare for the European Challenge Cup that starts in December.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport