Cheetahs lure schoolboy stars back to Bloem

The Toyota Cheetahs have lured back two top young schoolboy players after a brief stint in France didwork out for them.

George Cronje and Marcell Muller, both players who excelled for Grey College last year, joined French clubs after school but a mere matter of months later are back in Bloemfontein and with their home province.

Cronje was the SA Schools vice-captain while Muller is a massive winger with a blistering turn of speed. Both are considered future stars.

The Cheetahs also announced they had contracted lock Ian Groenewald, who made two appearances for the Bulls this year after going there on loan from Griquas. Groenewald played under coach Hawies Fourie for Maties during his time there.

Groenewald has also turned out for Italian club Verona and was on a short term loan to French club Toulon.

“I look forward to joining the Toyota Cheetahs this year, playing with some old teammates again, making new memories and reliving some old memories.” Said Groenewald

“I am also looking forward to experiencing the PRO14. I think that is going to be a lot different to Super Rugby, and I look forward to testing myself against the UK sides, the players on that side and making new friendships.”

Star of the 2019 South African Schools team and the vice-captain of the national side, George Cronje will be an ideal fit at loose forward the Toyota Cheetahs. He is a mobile and physical loose forward, and possesses natural leadership. Straight after school, he went to France where he was contracted by the French Top14 club, Clermont.

Marcell Muller is a big and powerful winger who had a phenomenal strike rate for the Grey College 1st XV. Muller stands at 1.87m tall and tips the scales at 102kg. For his size, he is incredibly mobile and knows how to find the try-line.

He was contracted by the French Top14 club, Montpelier after school. After Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn, Muller becomes the third player to sign for the Toyota Cheetahs from Montpellier in the past two seasons.

The pair will report for duty as Toyota Cheetahs players as from 1 July this year.

“We are delighted to have George and Marcell back with us at the Toyota Cheetahs. It’s important for more me to recruit the best players in Bloemfontein straight from school.” Said Coach Hawies Fourie.

“They have a bright future and we look forward to coaching them and having them all in our squad.”