Cape Town - Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské has warned that the overseas market is not only a threat to the Cheetahs but to all South African teams.

Drotské was left frustrated after the Cheetahs this week lost the services of locks Izak van der Merwe and George Earle to Edinburgh and Llanelli respectively. They have followed prop WP Nel (also Edinburgh) and loose forward Ashley Johnson (London Wasps) in major Cheetahs players announcing they will leave the franchise after the Super Rugby tournament.

Drotské told Volksblad they have signed 13 players and are hoping to get a few big names to sign.

But he also warned the other South African teams not to rest on their laurels.

"The overseas market is not only a threat to us, but for everyone.

"Francois Louw left the Stormers. A few players from the Sharks and Bulls are also overseas.

"A lot of those players also feel they have a chance overseas and they have to start thinking about their future.

"It's very frustrating, but one of those realities that you can't do anything about - especially if you coach at the Cheetahs," said Drotské.

The men from Bloemfontein are currently busy preparing for their clash against the Waratahs at home on Saturday (17:05 kick-off). The Waratahs, interestingly, also have a former Cheetah in scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius amongst their ranks.

Teams:

Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Rocco Jansen, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Riaan Smit, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Ashley Johnson, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Andries Ferreira, 4 Izak van der Westhuizen, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen

Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Francois Uys, 19 Justin Downey, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Philip Snyman

Waratahs:
TBA