Earl Rose’s chances of returning to Super Rugby next year suffered a major setback when he wasn’t included in the Cheetahs preliminary 42-man training squad.

The versatile players has joined Griquas following his fall from grace at the Lions, which makes him available for the Cheetahs in the Super 15.

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However, the 26-year-old will have to prove himself in the Vodacom Cup to stand any chance of featuring in the Cheetahs campaign.

Cheetahs team manager Eugene van Wyk confirmed that Rose won’t be part of the group at next week’s training camp in Jeffreys Bay.

“At the moment he is not in the group, but be isn’t totally out of contention,” Van Wyk said.

“The coaches are looking at his conditioning, because he is not up to up to standards. Later in the year they could look at him if he is playing well.”

A year ago Rose was part of the Springboks year-end tour squad and this latest setback marks yet another milestone in his plunge towards rock bottom.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské will have abetter idea of which players fit into his plans for the final squad after the week in Jeffreys Bay.

Springboks Adriaan Strauss, Juan Smith, Coenie Oosthuizen and Andries Strauss together with any injured players will all miss the camp.

Cheetahs squad:

Forwards: Adriaan Strauss, Skipper Badenhorst, Ryno Barnes, Coenie Oosthuizen, Kobus Calldo, WP Nel, Kevin Stevens, Marcel van der Merwe, Martin Muller, Walti Vermeulen, Hendrik Roodt, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Francois Uys, Izak van der Westhuizen, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Kabamba Floors, Ashley Johnson, Devon Raubenheimer, Philip van der Walt, Frans Viljoen, Johan Wessels.

Backs: Riaan Viljoen, Hennie Daniller, Riaan Smit, Ryno Benjamin, Philip Burger, Fabian Juries, Jongi Nokwe, Philip Snyman, Robert Ebersohn, Barry Geel, Morgan Newman, Andries Strauss, Corné Uys, Wilmaure Louw, Naas OIivier, Louis Strydom, Sias Ebersohn, Sarel Pretorius, Tewis de Bruyn, Piet van Zyl.