Experienced Griquas forward joins Cheetahs ahead of European campaign
The Toyota Cheetahs have secured Carl Els from the Suzuki Griquas, strengthening Bloemfontein’s loose‑forward options as the provincial side prepares for the later stages of the domestic season and another foray into Europe’s EPCR Challenge Cup.
Coach Frans Steyn described the 27‑year‑old as a player who will add "a lot of value" to the squad, pointing to Els’s mixture of physicality, versatility and breakdown ability. Els arrives after six seasons with the Peacock Blues in Kimberley, where he passed the 50‑appearance mark in 2025.
“We’re excited to see him play in the Cheetahs jersey. I think he can add a lot of value,” said Steyn to OFM Sport.
Els is naturally comfortable across the three loose positions and is noted for his effectiveness at the breakdown and as a lineout option. Those attributes were highlighted in a recent Currie Cup meeting between the two teams, a 24–21 victory for the Griquas, when Els caused repeated problems for the Cheetahs’ ball carriers.
What Els brings and where he fits
Bloemfontein’s loose‑forward department has been tested by injuries, most notably the extended absence of Gideon van der Merwe. While the Cheetahs have young prospects such as Arno van der Merwe and Neels Volschenk, Els offers a blend of proven durability and physical presence that should relieve selection pressure and add depth ahead of demanding fixtures.
- Versatility: able to cover all three loose positions;
- Physicality: strong at the breakdown and in contact;
- Experience: six seasons of professional rugby and 50 appearances for the Griquas.
Steyn made a direct comparison to current Bulls performer Jeandré Rudolph, suggesting that Els’s skillset resembles that type of modern loose forward: physical, useful in the lineout and disruptive at the ruck.
| Player | Strength | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carl Els | Breakdown work, lineout option, covers all loose positions | 27 years old; six seasons with Griquas; 50th appearance in 2025 |
| Gideon van der Merwe | Established loose‑forward | Long‑term absence has stretched depth |
| Jeandré Rudolph | Powerful ball‑carrier, lineout option | Used as a performance comparison by Cheetahs coaching staff |
Implications for Bloemfontein and the season ahead
For Bloemfontein supporters, the signing is a timely reinforcement. The Cheetahs will need reliable, adaptable forwards as they juggle Currie Cup commitments and a European schedule that tests squad depth and travel stamina. Els’s arrival should help manage player workload and reduce the risk of diminished performance when key players are unavailable.
The transfer is also a notable loss for the Griquas, who have cultivated a reputation for a strong loose‑forward pool despite being a smaller union. Els’s departure after six seasons leaves a gap, but the Peacock Blues have shown an ability to develop replacements from their ranks.
The Cheetahs have not disclosed the precise timing or contract length for Els’s move. Photographs of Els in Griquas colours were supplied by Morgan Piek in the original reporting on the transfer.
Supporters and local stakeholders will be watching how quickly Els adapts to Cheetahs systems and whether his inclusion can help the side convert close results into wins, particularly in tight domestic fixtures and the physical encounters expected in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Practical matters such as squad registration for the Challenge Cup and the timing of Els’s debut will be clarified by the club as they finalise administrative and medical clearances.
