The player have each signed a new two-year deal with the franchise.

The new is good for the team on the back of the exodus of players following the recent Guinness Pro14 campaign.

The second-row was one of the hardest hit departments in the squash after the announcement that Rynier Bernardo, Reniel Hugo and Carl Wegner who all be heading to Japan.

Hugo and Wegner will be playing for Toyota Verblitz, while Bernardo is joining Allister Coetzee’s Canon Eagles.

The 2.09m tall JP du Preez has been outstanding for the Toyota Free State XV in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge and his busy staking his claim to rather Basson in the Currie Cup and the upcoming Pro14. Furthermore, the Leopards man, Walt Steenkamp, will link up with the Cheetahs on 1 November when his contract in the North West expires.

The front-row saw the departure of the tighthead prop, Tom Botha, to the Ospreys in Wales. Securing Marais for the further two-years is excellent news for the team, however, tighthead is somewhat of an issue. 

John-Roy Jenkins was linked with a return to the Free State, however, now it seems that this deal is no longer on the table.

More signings are expected in the coming weeks.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport