The squad includes the long-awaited return of veteran lock Carl Wegner, along with the versatile centre/winger Munier Hartzenberg. Wegner has been out since the SA Cup, while Hartzenberg last featured in the Challenge Cup clash against Lyon in France at the start of the year.

In addition, three new signings – Zander du Plessis, De-an Ackermann and Jaco van der Walt – have been included for the opening leg of the campaign.

Munier Hartzenberg. Photo: Morgan Piek

Several players within the Cheetahs setup were unlucky not to earn a ticket to England, including Franco Smith Jr, George Lourens, and Ntokozo Makhaza, but the team will head back to Europe in January, and they might get their opportunity then.

The Cheetahs face English Premiership club Exeter Chiefs next week before travelling to Amsterdam to take on French Top 14 outfit Stade Français.

Coach Frans Steyn told OFM Sport that it has taken a full year to reach this point, and he is both hopeful and excited to see the progress the team has made in the build-up to the competition.

“Look, it’s going to be tough, we know that, but I think we’re in a good space,” said Steyn. “Carl is back, and the way the group has grown over the year is amazing. We’re excited to go.

“It’s a good challenge for us to measure ourselves and see if we’ve really grown over the last couple of months.”

On the new additions, Steyn said he already has a clear idea of what Van der Walt brings, despite the former Scotland international only joining the squad on Monday. He also sees strong similarities between Ackermann and former Currie Cup-winning Cheetahs centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg.

Benhard Janse van Rensburg. Photo: X

“They’ve slotted in nicely. Jaco’s experience is invaluable – I played against him when he was still at Edinburgh, and I was at Montpellier, and he’s a good guy,” Steyn said.

“He just needs a bit of backing, and you could see in training the quality of his touches and his understanding of the game. I think he’ll be good for us.

“And De-an reminds me of Benhard with the way he plays and his touches on the ball. It’s rugby – anything can happen on the weekend.”

Next Sunday’s match at Sandy Park kicks off at 19:30.

December Touring Squad:

Forwards - Aranos Coetzee, Cameron Dawson, Frankie Dos Reis, Marko Janse van Rensburg, Daniel Maartens, Tielman Niewoudt, Vernon Paulo, Victor Sekekete, Pierre Uys, Gideon van der Merwe, Chucky van der Westhuizen, Juan Venter, Neels Volschenk, Sisonke Vumazonke, Carl Wegner

Backs - De-an Ackermann, Michael Annies, Clayton Blommetjies, Zander du Plessis, Munier Hartzenberg, Cohen Jasper, Rewan Kruger, Jandre Nel, Prince Nkabinde, Marco Jansen van Vuren, Jaco van der Walt

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs