The Toyota Cheetahs have identified the centre David Brits as one of the Pumas dangermen heading into this week’s all-important Currie Cup clash in Nelspruit.

Brits still played for the Cheetahs last season before a stint at the Springboks Sevens team in Stellenbosch.

From the Blitzboks he linked up with the Pumas where he has been playing good rugby in the midfield for last year’s runners-up. He is a natural leader having captained the Maties in the Varsity Cup, and this allows him to bring a calmness to the backline.

David Brits. Picture: Morgan Piek

Brits was linked with a return to the Cheetahs following his stick at the Blitzboks, but that just did not work out.

Cheetah’s assistant coach Charl Strydom told OFM Sport that his game has improved drastically. “I think the skillset he picked up at the Sevens, having trained in that environment, especially fitness-wise, has improved.

“He has picked up things like what you do after you make a tackle, getting up being another option as well, off attack as well.

“He’s got a really good front-foot kicking game and he is a menace on defence. He gets out of the line quite a bit and he has got the pace to recover if he doesn’t make great reads.

“He is an asset to them.”

The winner of Saturday’s match in the Lowveld will qualify for the semifinals. Kick-off at the Mbombela Stadium is at 13:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg