Cape Town - USA Eagles No 9 Ruben de Haas, who is one of the scrumhalves in the Cheetahs squad, says he is eager to learn from the more experienced players in the Cheetahs squad.



The 19-year-old recently signed with the Cheetahs until end of October 2020.



De Haas joined the Cheetahs Academy in 2017 and represented the Free State Cheetahs in the under-19 competition. He played for CUT in the Varsity Cup earlier this year and also for the Free State XV in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge before being called up by USA Eagles coach, Gary Gold.



De Haas played four Tests for the USA this year but has now set his sights on making a mark for the Cheetahs - either in the PRO14 or Currie Cup.



The youngster knows there will be stiff competition at the Cheetahs - the other scrumhalves at the union include Rudy Paige, Shaun Venter, Tian Meyer, Zee Mkhabela, Dian Badenhorst and Rewan Kruger.



De Haas told OFM Sport that he was looking forward to learning from his competitors.



“Yes, there are a lot of scrumhalves, but for me the biggest thing is to be around those guys like Rudy Paige, Tian Meyer and Shaun Venter,” he said.



“As a young player learning from those guys every day, taking their tips and just being around them in a high rugby environment... this will be my goal for the next two years - to learn what I can every day from the senior guys in order for me to be the best that I can be.”



De Haas was born in George before he emigrated to Arkansas, America with his parents.



His father, Pieter played for Free State in the late 1980s and his grandfather Gerard represented the union in the early 1960s.

READ: Former Bulls flyhalves join Cheetahs