The former University of the Free State Shimlas star, who was named the Varsity Cup Player of the Year in 2022, has signed a short-term deal with the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington, where he will reunite with his former coach, Hawies Fourie.

Since joining the Cheetahs straight out of the Varsity Cup, Lourens often found himself lower down the pecking order at flyhalf and, as a result, had to contend with limited and irregular game time.

George Lourens in action against the Leopards in Potchefstroom - Morgan Piek

However, in 2025, Lourens was one of the standout performers in the SA Cup. He played a pivotal role in helping the Cheetahs reach the semi-finals and secure qualification for the Currie Cup.

His momentum was unfortunately halted during a Currie Cup warm-up match against the Suzuki Griquas in Bothaville when he fractured his forearm. The injury, suffered by the player who turns 29 on Thursday, ruled him out for an extended period.

Lourens never quite managed to recapture the form he displayed during the SA Cup campaign, largely due to a lack of opportunities. Competition for the No. 10 jersey remained fierce, with Jaco van der Walt, Tiaan Swanepoel, Ethan Wentzel and even Zander du Plessis all vying for game time.

An in-form and confident George Lourens is a very dangerous players indeed - but for that confidence he always needed regular game time, something that the Cheetahs could not give him due to the strong competition in the pivot role.

Another player to depart the Cheetahs is Franco Smith Jr. The versatile backline playmaker also struggled for regular opportunities, although injuries played a role in limiting the predominantly inside centre's appearances. The same can be said for the fleet-footed James Verity-Amm.

Lourens, who hails from Paarl and attended Paarl Gymnasium, also spent time playing for the University of Stellenbosch Maties. He told OFM Sport that leaving Bloemfontein is something that he is doing with a heavy heart, although he is excited about the opportunity awaiting him in Wellington under Fourie, who previously coached him at both the Cheetahs and Maties.

Franco Smith Jr on the charge against Black Lion during the 2025 Toyota Challenge - Morgan Piek

“Things in rugby change quickly, so I'm leaving Bloem with a heavy heart,” said Lourens.

“I really enjoyed my time in Bloemfontein and at the Cheetahs. There are some great people around, so I'm going to miss Bloemfontein.

“With that being said, I'm very excited to go to Boland. My parents and a lot of family are from there, so it is a bit of a homecoming.

“Like I said, I have played there before, I have played under Hawies Fourie and Charl Strydom, and I know most of the boys quite well.

James Verity-Amm - Morgan Piek

“I'm excited to go, excited to give rugby one last shot and just make the team better on that side. So, yeah, excited to go.”

Lourens leaves Bloemfontein as a Currie Cup winner after featuring in the side that claimed the world's oldest domestic rugby trophy in 2023. The Cheetahs beat the Pumas 25-17 in Bloemfontein to lift the title, with Fourie at the helm.

Meanwhile, the Cheetahs return to action on Friday evening when they take on Portugal's Lusitanos at Toyota Stadium in their opening fixture of the Toyota Challenge. Kick-off is at 18:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport