On Tuesday Sekekete was named as the captain of the team following the seasoned Springbok Ruan Pienaar’s decision to step down from the role.

The 28-year-old second-rower has been at the Cheetahs for the past two years after joining from the Griquas.

Fourie told OFM Sport that Sekekete was the natural choice for the captaincy.

“Victor was a part of the leadership group in the previous Currie Cup with Ruan, Aidon Davis and Frans Steyn. After Aidon left for England, he became the leader of the forwards.

“He was sort of a natural choice - he has come a long way since he joined the Cheetahs in 2020 as a player and a leader.

“He has the respect of all the players and the management, so it was an easy choice to appoint him after Ruan made his decision.

“Ruan will stay on as a part of the on-field leadership group, with Frans and Jeandré Rudolph completing that group.

“We've got a strong leadership group in the team and they will make it easy for Vic to fill Ruan's boots.”

Next week Friday at 16:15, the Cheetahs will tackle the Bulls in their first game of the Toyota Challenge in Bloemfontein.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport