The signature of the 25-year-old centre, Dries Swanepoel, was one of the biggest the Toyota Cheetahs secured during the off-season, heading into the upcoming Currie Cup and Guinness Pro14.
By the same token, losing their captain, Francois Venter, to the Worcester Warriors in England, was arguably their biggest exit following the Pro14 in May.
Swanepoel, who captained Grey College and formed a dominant centre combination with Jan Serfontein, returned to the City of Roses after joining the Bulls straight after school.
While Serfontein went on to become a Springbok while playing for the Bulls, Swanepoel was on the receiving end of numerous injuries which saw his professional career never really hitting the heights that it should have.
Swanepoel, who is considered to be the ideal replacement for Venter, told Courant that going to the Bulls and coming back to the Free State is all about opportunity.
“I went to Pretoria after school and the biggest part of that decision was for opportunity. That is why I find myself back in the Free State as well, for opportunity.
“I had a few injuries over there, but a lot of players pick up injuries. To become a great player and to be competitive at all levels you have to overcome those injuries because it is a part of the game.
“It is nice to be home. I’m really comfortable with the way the Free State play.
“We all know that Free State are an attacking side, a running side, a side that likes shifting the ball and offloading, so I am really keen to be a part of that.”
The hard-hitting midfielder nearly had a taste of European rugby towards the backend of the previous Pro14, however, never got to play for Munster in the competition. While he trained with the Irish outfit during their two-match tour of South Africa, he never went back to Limerick with the team.
“I was a part of Johann van Graan’s squad at Munster. The only reason that I didn’t go over was that my work permit in Ireland didn’t work out.
“As it was taking too long they decided to cancel the short-term contract I had with them. It was quite disappointing. Luckily I have an opportunity to play Pro14 again here at the Cheetahs.
“I hope that coach Franco will back me and that I also that I will mean something to the team.
“I’ve always believed that a team makes a player good, so I’m really excited to be good in this squad and to help make our players good as well.”
Swanepoel did learn a thing or two with Munster and according to him, South Africans can learn a fair deal from their counterparts in the Northern Hemisphere.
“The biggest thing that I’ve learnt while training with Munster is that I don’t think that they necessarily have better players than anyone in the competition, but their discipline is really exceptional.
“From the coaching staff to the players and everything else, their discipline is really good. I do think that this is one of the big things that South African players and rugby can sharpen quite a bit.”
The Cheetahs open their Pro14 campaign against Munster on 1 September in Ireland, but first, they tackle the Blue Bulls on Friday in the opening match of the Currie Cup. Swanepoel might very well be making his official Free State debut in that match against this former team. – MORGAN PIEK