The 21-year-old former South African schools captain will be heading to Durban where he will be joining the Sharks.

This news does come as a blow for the Cheetahs as Cronjé had spent a long time on the injury list at the team and the last two matches has been simply outstanding in the number eight jersey.

On the weekend, Cronjé could have won the man of the match award, had the Cheetahs not lost to the Lions in Bloemfontein.

The return of the powerful Friedle Olivier is certainly going to give the coaches a lot to think about with regard to selection.

Speaking to OFM Sport after the 33-26 defeat, the Cheetahs forwards coach, Izak van der Westhuizen, said Cronjé’s recent form has given them selection headaches.

“It's always good to have that kind of problem where you have to think really hard about who you are going to field and in which positions.

“I think the number eight position is defiantly one of those. All the loose-forwards are playing very good rugby at the moment.

“It's going to be another hot debate this week for the Sharks game.”

Earlier in the Currie Cup, Cronjé captained the Cheetahs in their Currie Cup game against the Pumas in Bloemfontein. This was while the bulk of the squad was in France for their EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 game against Toulon.

Meanwhile, the Benetton Rugby lock, Carl Wegner, will be heading back to the Cheetahs for his third spell at the franchise. Wegener’s return to the Cheetahs is certainly welcome as the depth in the second row can be thin at times.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport