The Toyota Cheetahs winger, Daniel Kasende, will be bidding the team farewell after three years of service in Bloemfontein.

Kasende will be heading to Wales following the conclusion of the Currie Cup, where he will link up with the familiar faces at the Ospreys. Late last year Kasende was at the Ospreys on a loan-deal where he got to play a bit of URC rugby for the club.

Kasende told Bloemfontein Courant that the Cheetahs were good to him and he got to make a lot of brothers and played alongside his childhood heroes.

“It goes without saying the Cheetahs held a special place in my heart from the time I got here in 2021,” said Kasende.

“It’s been a really, really amazing time. The Bloemfontein faithful and supporters have been really amazing on and off the field. They’re really, really good to the players.

“Just on the team itself, I’ve really gained a lot of brothers. I’ve gotten the opportunity and privilege to play with some of my childhood heroes growing up, you know, watching Oupa Mohoje, Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn, Clayton Blommetjies, and Rosco Specman.”

The Cheetahs Director of Rugby, Frans Steyn, in turn, told Bloemfontein Courant that Kasende’s boots won’t be easy to fill, but the speed merchant played his part at Free State rugby.

“I had this conversation with him a long time ago, just when I got into the job. He’s been searching for a place to go overseas,” said Steyn.

“He speaks French fluently and he wanted to go to France first. For me, you can’t keep a player here that really wants to explore the world a bit. He’s done his bit for the Cheetahs. He’s been awesome for us and like you said, when he’s not playing, there’s a massive gap.”

Kasende joined the Cheetahs from the Griquas, and before that he was a star outside back for Wits in the Varsity Cup. – MORGAN PIEK