This comes after the powerful ball-carrier left the Cheetahs on Friday to take up an offer from a Japanese club – an opportunity he simply couldn’t turn down. 

Olivier, who joined the Cheetahs in 2022, was a key contributor to the team despite struggling with injuries over the past year. 

Pierre Uys. Photo: Morgan Piek

Uys, who captained the University of the Free State Shimlas to Varsity Cup glory last year, has recently started at flank for the Cheetahs. Like Olivier, he is also capable of playing at lock, making him a natural choice to fill the gap left by Olivier’s departure.

Beyond being a serious and physical player, Uys is also a leader, which adds even more value to the team. He is strong, fearless, and never holds back – whether in training or on the field of play.

Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn told OFM Sport that Uys is the right man for the job to don the number seven jersey going forward. “I don’t know if the other guys like him that much in training,” Steyn joked.

“He’s an awesome guy – he keeps to himself, he’s quiet, and he works his backside off during every minute of training. He’s a really tough player who does the hard work nobody sees. It’s great to see guys like this coming through the system and the varsities.

“We have our own players here – guys coming out of Bloemfontein. We’re not looking outside for players, so it’s always a good thing when this happens.”

What’s even better for the Cheetahs is that Uys has a younger brother, Ramon Uys, who currently plays for the Shimlas. He has managed to clinch back-to-back Player of the Match accolades earlier in the current Varsity Cup, and was equally impressive last year for UFS in the Young Guns competition, excelling in the number six jersey.

Ramon Uys. Photo: Hannes Naude/ ASEM Engage

Steyn admitted that the Cheetahs have their eyes on the younger Uys and that he is firmly on their radar. “We’ve got our eyes on him, and hopefully, nobody else sees him,” Steyn added.

Meanwhile, on Friday night, the Pumas will take on the Cheetahs at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit during round three of the SA Cup.

Pumas –  15 Jaycee Nel, 14 Stefan Coetzee, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Darren Adonis, 10 Clinton Swart (captain), 9 Ross Braude, 8 Kwanda Dimaza, 7 Ruwald van der Merwe, 6 Ntsika Fisanti, 5 Tiaan de Klerk, 4 Jeandré Leonard, 3 Sampie Swiegers, 2 Jan-Henning Campher, 1 Etienne Janeke

Replacements - 16 Llewellyn Classen, 17 Dewald Maritz, 18 Eduan Swart, 19 Hanno Theunissen, 20 André Fouche, 21 Conor van Eden, 22 Danrich Visagie, 23 Lundi Msenge

Cheetahs – 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Raegan Oranje, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Litha Nkula, 10 George Lourens, 9 Jandré Nel, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Neels Volschenk, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen (captain), 1 Hencus van Wyk

Replacements – 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Dux Manyama, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Sisonke Vumazonke, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 Jooste Nel

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh