Rhyno Smith and Chris Massyn are among the four players who have signed long-term contracts with the Cheetahs ahead of the next Pro14 season.
All four players are currently playing for their respective provinces in the Currie Cup and will link up with the Cheetahs at the conclusion of the competition.
Sharks outside back Smith will be heading back to Bloemfontein after previously playing for the team in the PRO14 during the 2018-19 season.
Smith, who was a star player for North West University in the Varsity Cup and for the Leopards in the Currie Cup first division, recently played for the Cheetahs on a loan deal. He has signed a three-year contract with the Cheetahs.
Western Province flank Massyn joins the Cheetahs on a two-year contract. Massyn, who normally plays flank, led Maties to the 2019 Varsity Cup title.
He has the rare distinction of captaining two Varsity Cup teams to the title after previously also leading Tuks in 2017. He has also played for both the Blue Bulls and Boland Cavaliers. The 25-year-old is known for being destructive with ball in hand and difficult to deal with at the breakdown.
Chris Smit, who joined Griquas earlier in the year, also played under incoming coach Hawies Fourie after winning the 2019 Varsity Cup with Maties. He will be joining the Toyota Cheetahs on a two-year contract.
The centre, who can also play flyhalf, has a cool head on the field and a good distribution game which has caught the attention of many coaches in South Africa. Smith, who turns 24 in August, was named as the 2019 Varsity Cup Player of the Tournament.
Griquas hooker Wilmar Arnoldi has also signed a two-year-deal. Arnoldi starred for North West University for three years before joining Griquas in 2017. During that time he also represented the Leopards in the Currie Cup First Division.
Photo: Gallo Images
