The Cheetahs will return to Europe but this time instead of playing their ‘home’ fixtures in Italy they will play in the Netherlands.

A part of the Cheetahs mission in Amsterdam will also be to grow the sport in the Netherlands.

The Cheetahs do have a Dutch international player in their ranks in the form of the inside centre, Reinhardt Fortuin.

Fortuin told OFM Sport that playing in Amsterdam will be an amazing opportunity for the Cheetahs. “We're extremely happy that we are playing in the EPCR again this coming season,” said the Dutch international.

“It was a great tournament as a team and we grew immensely. It just showed us that we can compete with the teams in Europe.

“I think that being based in Amsterdam is a great idea - rugby is slowly but surely picking up in the Netherlands. It will create that rugby awareness and it's a great way to equip the next generation of players in the Netherlands.

“In the one Test we played against Georgia there was quite a great crowd that turned out. There are a lot of South Africans living in the Netherlands and quite a few of my friends have already sent me a message to say they're going to come and watch rugby in Amsterdam.

“We're really looking forward to it. Amsterdam is a really great city and I'm really excited for the ECPR Challenge Cup to begin at the end of the year.”

The Cheetahs are in Pool 1 for the EPCR Challenge Cup with the Sharks, Pau, Oyonnax Rugby and Zebre.

The fixture for the 2023/24 EPCR Challenge Cup is yet to be confirmed, but the first round will be played on the weekend of 8 to 10 December.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport