Last week, the Shimlas front-rower had his first run-out in a Cheetahs jersey during their Currie Cup warm-up match against the Suzuki Griquas in Bultfontein, and he impressed.

This Friday, Pitout will play off the bench, providing cover for Frankie Dos Reis – a player who was a year ahead of him at Paarl Gymnasium and also at the Shimlas.

Frankie Dos Reis. Photo: Morgan Piek

Speaking to OFM Sport, Pitout admitted that he never imagined turning professional this soon.

“No, not at all. I was actually expecting to play another two or three years of Varsity Cup rugby before stepping up to senior level – but things happened really quickly,” said the imposing tighthead, who hails from the picturesque seaside suburb of Kommetjie in Cape Town.

“It’s exciting, but also a bit daunting at the same time. Luckily, with the coaches and players around me, it’s been easier to slot in. I also don’t feel like I’m standing in anyone’s way – everyone’s helping me do my part.”

The Cheetahs’ new forwards coach, and former Springbok hooker, Tiaan Liebenberg, who worked with Pitout at Shimlas earlier this year, rates him highly and believes the youngster has a bright future ahead.

Also read: Cheetahs hoogs beïndruk met jong vaskop Pitout

Pitout added that having a familiar face in the coaching setup has made the transition that much smoother.

“Yes, it really helps when a coach backs you and shows that they believe in you,” said Pitout.

“It makes me want to play for them even more. I’m much more motivated when I know a coach is behind me like that, it really makes a difference.”

Tiaan Liebenberg. Photo: Morgan Piek

Friday night’s historic clash between the Cheetahs and the Lelos will kick off at 19:00 at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Cheetahs - 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Ntokozo Makhaza, 13 Marko Jansen van Vuren, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Banie Britz, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Pieter Janse van Vuren, 3 Frankie Dos Reis, 2 Marco Janse van Rensburg, 1 Hencus van Wyk

Replacements - 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Ben Pitout, 19 Sisonke Vumazonke, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Jandré Nel, 22 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 23 Clayton Blommetjies

Georgia - 15 Dachi Papunashvili, 14 Shalva Aptsiauri, 13 Tornike Kakhoidze, 12 Giorgi Khaindrava, 11 Otar Metreveli 10 Tedo Abzhandadze (captain), 9 Tengiz Peranidze, 8 Ilia Spanderashvili, 7 Giorgi Tsutskiridze, 6 Sandro Mamamtavrishvili, 5 Demuri Epremidze, 4 Guram Ghaniashvili, 3 Aleksandre Kuntelia, 2 Irakli Kvatadze, 1 Giorgi Tetrashvili

Replacements - 16 Vakhtang Jincharadze, 17 Nikoloz Khatiashvili, 18 Beka Gigashvili, 19 Mikheil Babunashvili, 20 Luka Ivanishvili, 21 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 22 Luka Matkava, 23 Demur Tapladze

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg