In one of the worst kept secrets in recent history, Franco Smith has been given the Toyota Cheetahs coaching job for next year’s Vodacom Super Rugby series.
Smith, who led Shimlas to the Varsity Cup this year, was previously appointed as the Toyota Free State Cheetahs coach for the upcoming Absa Currie Cup series, but it was denied that he would also take over at the Cheetahs Super Rugby team.
On Friday the union announced the retirement of long-time coach Naka Drotske and welcomed Smith into the fold.
Ironically Drotske’s move comes after the Cheetahs sent him on a long “learning tour” during last year’s Currie Cup to ensure success in the current season , something that hasn’t happened.
The emergence of Smith, who also spent time with Benetton Treviso as their head coach and led them to the Italian title, has put more pressure on the Cheetahs management, while offers from two other provinces meant the Cheetahs had to move fast to secure his services.
Smith has been appointed for a four year term and will work alongside new director of rugby Rory Duncan to ensure the future success of the team.
“It is an exciting time with lots of developments and Free State Rugby is happy to announce that not only will Franco Smith be the Head Coach of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs for Currie Cup, but also that he will take over from Naka Drotske as Head Coach of the Toyota Cheetahs for Super Rugby,” a statement from the Cheetahs said.
“Franco will have full say over the coaching of both the Super Rugby and Currie Cup teams of the Toyota Cheetahs and Toyota Free State Cheetahs. He will also be a member of Free State Rugby‘s Coaching- and Rugby Committees and will have the privilege to appoint his assistant coaches and team management for the different competitions.
“Franco is already an experienced coach and was part of the Cheetahs coaching and management team who won the Currie Cup in 2005 and 2006. Franco has experience as a European coach with Treviso in Italy where he coached the team to three consecutive Italian championship victories and qualifying and participating in the Heineken Cup competition. Franco also proven himself through coaching the Shimlas to their first ever Varsity Cup championship in 2015.”
“We wish Franco Smith the best of luck with his new role and look forward to a new era in Cheetah Rugby with Franco and his coaching team for the next four years.” Mr. Harold Verster, Managing Director of the Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd.
Smith is currently negotiating with backline coach Hawies Fourie to keep him on and has earmarked Corniel van Zyl as his forwards coach.
Van Zyl is no stranger to Free State as he was part of the Cheetah team who won the Currie Cup in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Corniel continued his rugby career at Treviso and represented Italy in the 2011 World Cup and played in seven tests for Italy. He currently is player/coach with the Italian club, Treviso and will be relocating to Bloemfontein in the next two months.
© supersport.com
