Cheetahs given boost with Manjezi, Olivier return

The Toyota Cheetahs were given a significant boost ahead of their crucial tour of Europe when lock Sintu Manjezi and No 8 Gerhard Olivier were declared fit to travel with the side after missing the Bloemfontein win over the Isuzu Southern Kings last weekend.

Manjezi injured himself in the first PRO14 clash against the Isuzu Southern Kings and missed out on the return match in Bloemfontein last week while Olivier had a face laceration that caused him to miss the game.

Craig Barry and Reinach Venter have been also added to the squad with Daniel Maartens falling out of the group to travel after being on the bench for the game in Bloemfontein.

The Cheetahs will leave on Tuesday and will be taking on the log leaders, Leinster on Saturday, 15 February at 16:30 (SA time) at RDS in Dublin, followed by Ulster on the 22nd in Belfast. On the 29th they will be facing Dragons at Rodney Parade in Newport, Wales.

The Cheetahs are currently missing Justin Basson (knee), Marnus van der Merwe (knee), Oupa Mohoje (knee), Dries Swanepoel (ankle) and Anthony Volmink (calf), who are injured.

Players in the touring squad are:

Wilmar Arnoldi, Craig Barry, Clayton Blommetjies, Aranos Coetzee, Aidon Davis, Luan de Bruin, JP du Preez, Joseph Dweba, Louis Fouche, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Sintu Manjezi, Charles Marais, Chris Massyn, Rabz Maxwane, Tian Meyer, Gerhard Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, Junior Pokomela, Tian Schoeman, William Small-Smith, Chris Smit, Rhyno Smith, Walt Steenkamp, Boan Venter, Reinach Venter, Jasper Wiese.