Seasoned outside back Clayton Blommetjies has returned to the Cheetahs and will start at flyhalf against EP. 

The 34-year-old Currie Cup winner has joined the Cheetahs on loan from the Stormers for a limited period, primarily due to injuries within the squad, as well as certain behind-the-scenes matters that need to be addressed. 

Blommetjies is no stranger to Free State rugby, and over the past few weeks, hanging about the team during training sessions. The versatile player officially joined the squad on Tuesday and will take to the field, although the team announcement has been slightly delayed.

This happened very fast as the Cheetahs coach, Frans Steyn, rang up his Stormers counterpart John Dobson on Monday night to make the necessary arrangements.

Speaking to OFM Sport, Blommetjies expressed his excitement about returning to his old hunting ground and getting some much-needed game time.

“For me, it’s just about getting the opportunity to be back on the field. I didn’t get much game time this year in Cape Town, so this is a great chance to showcase my talent this weekend against EP. I’m really looking forward to it.”

He added that making the move back to Bloemfontein was an easy decision, given his family circumstances. “The move was easy because my wife is up here, while my eldest little one is down in Cape Town. But for me, it wasn’t a tough decision at all. 

“It’s closer to her family, closer to her home, so it was a no-brainer to return to Bloemfontein and rejoin the Cheetahs.”

Clayton Blommetjies. Photo: Morgan Piek

Blommetjies noted that while some aspects of a team inevitably change, much remains familiar, which made reintegrating into the squad a smooth process. 

“I told some of the guys, it’s just new names—everything else still feels the same. It was quite easy to slot back in because a lot of the guys I played with before are still here.

“It’s been seamless fitting in wherever the coaches need me. My focus is on continuing to learn, adapting, and taking things as they come.”

Blommetjies first joined the Cheetahs in 2014 before moving to the Scarlets in Wales in 2017. He rejoined the team from Leicester Tigers in 2019 and later moved to the Stormers at the end of the 2022 season. 

He has played well over 100 games in the colours of Free State rugby.

The Cheetahs are expected to announce their squad for the weekend’s fixture on Wednesday. Saturday’s match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium kicks off at 15:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek mvh