Gert van Schalkwyk, one of the so-called "Waterkloof Four", has been included in the Pumas rugby team practice group, according to a report on Tuesday.

Pumas president Hein Mentz told Beeld newspaper Van Schalkwyk played for the Pumas before he started serving his sentence in 2008.

Van Schalkwyk is among a group of four boys convicted of killing a homeless man in a park in Pretoria in 2001. He was released from Zonderwater Prison outside Pretoria on December 19, 2011.

Mentz said Van Schalkwyk was not getting paid for playing for the Pumas but they were giving him the chance to prove himself.

"He already served part of his sentence and we are in no position to judge him. He needs to find work and we will see if he is good enough," Mentz told Beeld.

"It has been a while since he was on the rugby field, but he has talent. The Pumas management will receive a report from the coach about him and then the decision will be made on whether he will make the cut."

Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse is Van Schalkwyk's step-father, the newspaper reported.

Mentz emphasised to Beeld that the rugby practice he attended, in eMalahleni, complied with the correctional service supervision conditions for his release.