Van Dyk, who won the Junior World Championship with the Junior Springboks in 2012, is now plying his trade for Section Paloise in France.

In December the Cheetahs will make a return to European rugby when they compete in the Challenge Cup.

Van Dyk told OFM Sport that the prospect of playing against his former team is almost surreal.

“I think that it's pretty amazing to be able to play against a team where I come from, 12 000km away on the other side of the world,” said the former Junior Springbok.

“That's pretty exciting for me as a player.

“I never thought that I would be in France playing against a team from South Africa.

“It will be great if I do get the chance to play against the Cheetahs and to be able to see some familiar faces.”

Since Van Dyk left the Cheetahs in 2016 there are very few players that are still at the union, one being the seasoned centre, Robert Ebersohn. 

Having said that, Van Dyk has worked with the coach Hawies Fourie and assistants such as Charl Strydom and the physio, Pikkie du Toit.

After leaving the Cheetahs, Van Dyk played for the French giants, Toulouse, before a stint in England where he ran out for Harlequins and the Worcester Warriors.

The Cheetahs will face Section Paloise on the weekend of 9 to 11 December.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport