Visser has been part of the Cheetahs setup since last year. However, his progress has coincided with commitments to both the Junior Springboks and the Shimlas during the Varsity Cup campaign. 

The scrumhalf position is one of the most competitive departments at the Cheetahs. Visser currently finds himself behind Rewan Kruger, Marco Jansen van Vuren and Jandré Nel in the pecking order, while two-time Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk is also set to join the union.

Erich Visser in action for the Shimlas against the CUT Ixias in the Bloemfontein derby in the Varsity Cup. Photo: Hannes Naudé/ASEM Engage

During the opening round of the SA Cup, even Christiaan van der Westhuizen was given an opportunity against the Boland Cavaliers and marked the occasion with a try in the defeat.

Visser’s road to a Cheetahs debut has been anything but straightforward. Although he is a product of Grey College, he never played for the school’s first team, but instead represented the third, like the Springbok halfback Cobus Reinach. After school, he made his way to the University of the Free State without a bursary and gradually worked his way into the Shimlas setup, where he became one of the standout performers during this year’s Varsity Cup campaign.

Through sheer determination, perseverance and hard work, Visser now finds himself on the verge of realising a lifelong dream when he runs out for the Cheetahs for the first time off the bench.

Visser told OFM Sport he can barely contain his excitement. While the nerves will undoubtedly be there, his focus will be on keeping things simple and doing the basics well.

“I am super excited for tomorrow – I think it’s a big privilege to make my senior debut for the Cheetahs,” said Visser.

“It’s a long time coming now, and I’m super excited. I’m just going to do my basics, take the opportunity with both hands, and just enjoy it tomorrow night.”

Visser admitted the journey to this point has not been easy, but he has always believed in staying the course, embracing the grind, and making every training session and match count.

“My journey through rugby wasn’t always the easiest path. Like you said, playing for the third team at Grey, working myself up after school, then going to university, and just working myself up through hard work and never giving up.

“I think I had a good Varsity Cup this year. I scored a couple of tries and made a big impact when I came on in games.”

Rewan Kruger. Photo: Morgan Piek

Visser added he is fortunate to be surrounded by experienced campaigners such as Kruger, Jansen van Vuren and assistant coach Ruan Pienaar, who is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s finest scrumhalves at the highest level.

“With all the senior players around me like Rewan and Marco, and coach Ruan, I think I’m in a good position here at the Cheetahs to learn from them and soak up all the information and knowledge they have about the game.

“It’s a big privilege to be surrounded by a couple of quality nines. Especially with Faf de Klerk also coming to the Cheetahs now,  as a young player I think it’s a big opportunity to learn from him. It’s a really good place to be at the moment as a young scrumhalf.”

Nicolaas Immelman with the tackle on Dillon Smith of the Griquas. Photo: Morgan Piek

Meanwhile, Romania A also has an Old Grey representative in their ranks. Flanker Nicolaas Immelman will captain the side against the Cheetahs on Wednesday night, adding another intriguing local connection to the encounter. Immelman also previously represented the Shimlas in the Varsity Cup.

Wednesday’s clash between the Toyota Cheetahs and Romania A at the Toyota Stadium will kick off at 18:00.

Cheetahs – 15 Ethan Wentzel, 14 Cohen Jasper, 13 De-an Ackermann, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Tiaan Swanepoel, 9 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 8 Gideon van der Merwe, 7 Thabang Mahlasi, 6 Sasko Ndlovu, 5 Curtly Thomas, 4 Pieter Janse van Vuren (captain), 3 Tebogo Nkosi, 2 Juan Smal, 1 Dux Manyama

Replacements – 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 Ben Pitout, 19 Victor Sekekete, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Erich Visser, 22 Munier Hartzenberg, 23 Litha Nkula

Romania A – 15 Ovidiu Neagu, 14 Damian Bonaparte, 13 Jason Tomane, 12 Mihai Graure, 11 Iliesa Tiqe, 10 Daniel Plai, 9 Alin Conache, 8 Eduard Cioroaba, 7 Yanis Horvat, 6 Nicolaas Immelman (captain), 5 Logan Weidner, 4 David Trausan, 3 Cosmin Manole, 2 Robert Irimescu, 1 Iulian Hartig

Replacements – 16 Adrian Tala, 17 Eduard Matei, 18 Jean-Pierre Smith, 19 Etienne Terblanche, 20 Vlad Neculau, 21 Jondre Williams, 22 Hinckley Vaovasa, 23 Serge Le Mezec

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm