Cheetahs get additions from Japan

Cape Town - The Cheetahs have been bolstered by two Japanese players joining their ranks on short-term deals from the Toyota Verblitz club.

The Cheetahs confirmed on Wednesday that prop Yosuke Takahashi and fullback Yoshizumi Takeda are currently training with the Free State Currie Cup squad.

They join the Cheetahs as part of the friendly association between the two franchises - who share the same sponsor.

The Cheetahs announced last year that the two teams will in future exchange personnel, with Cheetahs utility forward, Francois Uys, playing for Toyota Verblitz for a brief period before the start of the 2016 Super Rugby competition.

Toyota, the sponsors of both teams, identified an opportunity to contribute to the rugby society in both South Africa and Japan to foster talent and facilitate a first step towards a partnership agreement with the Cheetahs and the Toyota-owned Verblitz rugby club.

Os du Randt, a former Springbok prop and Cheetahs forwards coach, left the Bloemfontein side last year to become the forwards coach of Toyota Verblitz.

Toyota Verblitz announce prop Yosuke Takahashi has joined @CheetahsRugby from March to June. #SuperRugby #rugbyjp pic.twitter.com/OobNnBAYti

— Rich Freeman (@FreemanrugbyJPN) March 23, 2016

Fullback Yoshizumi Takada also heading to #Cheetahs from #ToyotaVerblitz. So likely he & Takahashi are joining training squad. #SuperRugby

— Rich Freeman (@FreemanrugbyJPN) March 23, 2016