The Cheetahs' midfield riddle might just have been solved by a fresh face, Zander du Plessis, whose recent shift from the Lions appears to be a masterstroke by coach Frans Steyn. After a thunderous performance against Black Lion last Sunday, it seems du Plessis has firmly planted his boots in the No 12 jersey.
Stepping off the bench in a nail-biting 39-38 loss, du Plessis showed promise. However, it was his dominant display during the 24-5 triumph in Bloemfontein that really turned heads. His adaptability is an asset; capable of playing flyhalf or fullback, Steyn, however, values his brute force in the heart of the action at inside centre.
"For me, I just want someone who’s solid in the midfield," Steyn remarked. "I want a player who carries hard, tackles hard and makes his presence felt."
Despite a hiatus from regular play, du Plessis' return to a full match was nothing short of "very solid," making him a linchpin for team dynamics, according to Steyn. Meanwhile, the Cheetahs are also bolstering their ranks with new blood as young Shimlas hooker Vice Hofmeyr steps in to fill the void left by Vernon Paulo, who is off to join the Stormers.
The upcoming fixtures for the Cheetahs are heating up with a warm-up match against the Lions at Ellis Park scheduled for November 20. This will serve as a prelude to their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign kickoff against the Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on December 7. With their midfield seemingly reinforced and new talents joining the ranks, the Cheetahs are gearing up for a robust season ahead.
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The Cheetahs' midfield riddle might just have been solved by a fresh face, Zander du Plessis, whose recent shift from the Lions appears to be a masterstroke by coach Frans Steyn. After a thunderous performance against Black Lion last Sunday, it seems du Plessis has firmly planted his boots in the No 12 jersey.
Stepping off the bench in a nail-biting 39-38 loss, du Plessis showed promise. However, it was his dominant display during the 24-5 triumph in Bloemfontein that really turned heads. His adaptability is an asset; capable of playing flyhalf or fullback, Steyn, however, values his brute force in the heart of the action at inside centre.
"For me, I just want someone who’s solid in the midfield," Steyn remarked. "I want a player who carries hard, tackles hard and makes his presence felt."
Despite a hiatus from regular play, du Plessis' return to a full match was nothing short of "very solid," making him a linchpin for team dynamics, according to Steyn. Meanwhile, the Cheetahs are also bolstering their ranks with new blood as young Shimlas hooker Vice Hofmeyr steps in to fill the void left by Vernon Paulo, who is off to join the Stormers.
The upcoming fixtures for the Cheetahs are heating up with a warm-up match against the Lions at Ellis Park scheduled for November 20. This will serve as a prelude to their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign kickoff against the Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on December 7. With their midfield seemingly reinforced and new talents joining the ranks, the Cheetahs are gearing up for a robust season ahead.