The flyhalf, Tian Schoeman, is set to leave the team at the end of December. The versatile hooker, Reinach Venter, will most likely remain at the Cheetahs for a few more weeks but will depart earlier than Schoeman.

It is believed that the pair opted out of their contracts due to a clause that allows them to seek employment elsewhere because of the Cheetahs exit from PRO Rugby.

They follow in the footsteps of the tighthead prop, Luan de Bruin, who has joined the Leicester Tigers on a short deal before linking up with Edinburgh in Scotland. The 2.09m tall lock, JP du Preez, also left the union to join the Sale Sharks in England.

Before the above two mentioned players left, Benhard Janse van Rensburg (NEC Green Rockets, Japan), Walt Steenkamp (Bulls) and Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tiger, England) left the Cheetahs.

While this does come as a major blow for the Cheetahs’ Currie Cup title defence, the side is expecting the return of Wilmar Arnoldi from injury, while Reinhardt Fortuin is set to make the number ten jersey his. The Cheetahs' depth at flyhalf is virtually non-existent at the moment, however, if push comes to shove, they can make use of the two-time World Cup-winning Springbok, Frans Steyn, as the backline marshal.

The Cheetahs open their Currie Cup title defence this weekend when they travel to Pretoria to face the Blue Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport