Springbok flank Heinrich Brüssow will start training with the Cheetahs next week ahead of the Super Rugby tournament, on his way to recovery from injury.

The Cheetahs’ team doctor, Ian Morris, told the Volksblad newspaper that Brüssow is recovering well from the rib injury he sustained in South Africa’s quarterfinal loss to Australia at the Rugby World Cup on October 9.

The Cheetahs start their preparations for next year’s Super Rugby tournament in Bloemfontein on Monday.

“Heinrich is recovering well and will start training with the guys next week,” said Morris.

The “fetcher” flank probably won’t be able to participate in all the training regimes but will definitely do fitness training with the team.

This will be a double boost for the Free Staters as flank, Juan Smith – who has been out since this year’s Super Rugby tournament with an Achilles injury – is also expected to be fit when the Southern Hemisphere’s premier domestic competition starts in February.

Other injured players – lock Francois Uys (rib), flyhalf Sias Ebersohn (ankle) and centre Philip Snyman (groin) – will all be ready to start training on Monday.