The loose forwards, Junior Pokomela and Aidon Davis, and the front-rowers, Charles Marais and Aranos Coetzee, will remain Cheetahs until at least 31 October 2022.

The versatile hooker/flank, Marnus van der Merwe, will remain at the franchise until the end of October 2023, while the American international scrumhalf, Ruben de Haas, has extended his stay by a year.

Pokomela, who was linked with Connacht in Ireland and the Southern Kings, told OFM Sport that he is delighted to remain at the team where he has played the majority of his senior rugby.

“I am pretty stoked to have extended my contract with the Cheetahs.

“I have practically played all my senior rugby here, so I’m looking forward to the next two years and hopefully we as a team can reach greater heights.”

Pokomela is a former SA U20 captain and is an individual who is a natural leader and commands the respect of this peers and teammates.

The current captain, Ruan Pienaar, has already indicated that next season will most likely be his last as a player. Pienaar turned 36-years-old in March and at that age it is somewhat unusual for someone to still be playing, especially someone who has over 80 Test caps to his name.

While Pienaar still looks the part on the field there are talks that the player will be moving into the coaching direction, and should his inevitable retirement come in the next season, it will leave a captaincy void in the team.

Pokomela may just be the right man to take over the reins from Pienaar, and should he be made the skipper, it would not be a bad move at all by the coach Hawies Fourie.

Pokomela added that he would be honoured to lead the team in the future, but for now he just wants to enjoy the game and make a positive contribution.

“It’s a privilege to share a field with Ruan and I must say I’ve learnt quite a lot from him. His leadership skills are out of this world.

“It will be a huge honour to wear the band, but at this point in time I’m honestly focused on enjoying my rugby and to continue to contribute to the team in whatever way I can.”

There will be players leaving the franchise at the conclusion of the season, and the biggest name mentioned to date is that of Joseph Dweba who is linked with a move to France. The names of the second-row pair of Sintu Manjezi and Walt Steenkamp have been linked with a move to the Bulls. It appears that the bullyboy on the field, Jasper Wiese, will be leaving but it has not been confirmed where he is heading to. OFM Sport has it on good authority that he is on the radar of the Irish outfit, Connacht.

The Cheetahs may have a smaller contracted squad for next season, but one of those players in the mix may well be the two-time World Cup-winning Springbok, Frans Steyn. 

@MorganPiek OFM Sport