Cheetahs coach Frans Steyn has picked a player at outside centre for their opening SA Cup match against Boland who he believes has the potential to emulate a Springbok star.
Raegan Oranje has played scrumhalf and wing for the Cheetahs since arriving in Bloemfontein from Griquas, but Steyn insists the 28-year-old has what it takes to excel in the No 13 jersey.
“He’s big and strong. He’s fast and communicates on defence. He has never made a wrong decision in our [training] drills.
“He doesn’t bother me there [at outside centre], he looks good,” Steyn added. “Maybe Raegan is the next Lukhanyo Am, how do we know?”
Only six of the players who started for the Cheetahs in their last Challenge Cup clash against Perpignan are in the XV for Saturday’s match in Wellington, due to injuries and one player (scrumhalf Ruben de Haas) out on loan.
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CHEETAHS – 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Prince Nkabinde, 13 Raegan Oranje, 12 Jooste Nel, 11 Litha Nkula, 10 George Lourens, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Jeandré Rudolph, 7 Pierre Uys, 6 Neels Volschenk, 5 Victor Sekekete (c), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Louis van der Westhuizen, 1 Hencus van Wyk.
Bench: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Dux Manyana, 18 Laurence Victor, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Andisa Ntsila, 21 Daniel Maartens, 22 Jandré Nel, 23 Banie Britz.
Round 1 fixtures
7 March
Pumas vs Eagles (5pm, Nelspruit)
8 March
Leopards vs Griquas (3pm, Potchefstroom)
Valke vs Eastern Province (3pm, Kempton Park)
Border Bulldogs vs Griffons (3pm, Mdantsane)
Boland Cavaliers vs Cheetahs (3pm, Wellington)
Photo: Johan Pretorius/Gallo Images