Cheetahs add 11 new players including probably the tallest man in rugby

Cheetahs have invested in former Bulls players as they prepare for the Currie Cup and Pro14 seasons – report Rugby 365.

The Cheetahs have added 11 new players which include a few former Bulls players.

Bulls discard Rudy Paige has extended his stay in Bloemfontein until the end of October 2019 after joining the side this year.

While centre Dries Swanepoel also returns to Bloemfontein after five years with the Bulls.

Former Bulls flyhalves Tian Schoeman and Louis Fouche will also don the orange and white jersey for upcoming Currie Cup and Pro14 season.

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Schoeman returns to South African rugby following his short stint with French club Bordeaux and Fouche joins the Cheetahs from Japanese side Kubota Spears.

The other names on the list include Ruben de Haas, Sharks’ utility back Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Lions lock JP du Preez.

Du Preez stands 209cm or 6’10.5″ tall. That’s half an inch taller than Ireland’s Devin Toner (6’10) and makes him the tallest professional rugby player on the planet currently.

While Toner is often cited at 6’11, he’s on record as claiming to in fact be 6’10.

The Cheetahs’ 50-man squad will officially be announced on August 14.

The Cheetahs open their Currie Cup campaign at home against the Blue Bulls on August 17, while they will face Munster in their first PRO14 match on September 1.

New players:

Rudy Paige (scrumhalf, Bulls), Adriaan Carelse (fullback, Boland), Tian Schoeman (flyhalf, Bordeaux), Louis Fouche (flyhalf, Kubota Spears), Ruben de Haas (scrumhalf, USA), Dries Swanepoel (centre, Bulls), Benhard Janse van Rensburg (utility back, Sharks), Walt Steenkamp (lock, Leopards), JP du Preez (lock, Lions), Aidon Davis (loose forward, Toulon), Louis Conradie (lock, Boland).