The Cheetahs welcome backline star Philip Burger back into their squad ahead of for the new season, after the exciting utility back spent the past two years in France.

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Burger will offer a much needed boost the Cheetahs options at wing in the Super 15, after Lionel Mapoe’s departure to the Lions and Bjorn Basson signing with the Bulls.

The Cheetahs woes on the wing have been added to by the series of injuries sustained by Springbok flyer Jongi Nokwe, leaving the Bloemfontein side depleted out wide.

Former Springbok Sevens star, Burger, is a proven try scoring hero for the Cheetahs after he topped the try scoring charts in the 2006 Currie Cup.

The 30-year-old has been playing for Top 14 club Perpignan in France, but has found his opportunities limited amongst some of France’s top backline stars, with his smaller stature counting against him with the coaches often favouring larger players.

Burger will be competing for a place in the Cheetahs team with other Sevens Springboks MJ Mentz, Rayno Benjamin, Fabian Juries, Philip Snyman and Riaan Smit, who will all be aiming to take up the vacant wing berths in the side.