Hendrik Cronjé

Bloemfontein – The market value of Jongi Nokwe has increased so sharply over the past 12 months that it is highly unlikely that the Free State Cheetahs will keep him for much longer.

However, there could be good news for the Bloemfontein faithful.

“There's a remarkably good relationship between Jongi and Hawies Fourie, our assistant coach. Hopefully that will influence his decision,” said Free State coach Naka Drotske.

Fourie, a former coach of the Boland Cavaliers, spotted Nokwe’s raw talent in 2004 and lured him to the Free State in 2008.

Nokwe’s market value rose sharply after he scored four tries last year for the Springboks in a Tri-Nations clash against the Wallabies.

“We made a good offer to him and we hope he accepts it.” It is not known which teams are interested in Nokwe.

On Saturday at Coca-Cola Park, Nokwe was the Springbok left wing against the British and Irish Lions.

Although he possesses greyhound-like speed once he gets going, getting off the mark is one of his weak points.

Free State are also fortunate enough to be able to choose from wings like Lionel Mapoe, Danwel Demas, Fabian Juries, JW Jonker and Eddie Fredericks, should Nokwe decide to pursue his career elsewhere.

The Free State coaching team is already talking up Mapoe’s abilities after he impressed over the past year by developing into a key player for the Springbok Sevens team.

Nokwe is contractually bound to the Cheetahs until the end of the Currie Cup.

Meanwhile, Drotské has confirmed that he has released Alwyn Hollenbach from his contract with the Cheetahs.

“We spoke at length with Alwyn about his future. He had a good offer from the Golden Lions and can be of great use to them as a fullback with Louis Ludik out injured.”

Hollenbach will join his new team-mates on Monday in his city of birth, Johannesburg,

Hollenbach represented Free State in 2005 and 2006 in the Currie Cup and is equally comfortable playing centre or fullback.

Although Hollenbach’s decision is a blow, the Cheetahs' player budget is under tremendous strain and he move will bring some much needed relief in this regard.