Cheetahs grant coach Naka Drotske early release

Bloemfontein based Super Rugby franchise the Cheetahs have granted their head coach Naka Drotske an early release from his contract as coach.

Drotske will complete his term as coach of the Cheetahs at the end of their match against the Stormers on the 30th of May.

Cheetahs assistant coach Os du Randt has accepted an opportunity to coach abroad and to be an ambassador for the Cheetahs and he will leave the Bloemfontein franchise during the first week of June.

Drotske insisted that he wants to step down when Os leaves, instead of continuing with the tournament without his complete coaching team.

During the 2014 Super Rugby competition it was decided that Griqua players and Hawies Fourie could be released early to help the Griquas qualify for the 2014 Currie Cup. The lack of depth led to below standard results which Drotske felt he had to take blame for. The Cheetahs say that they have full understanding for his position and agreed to his request.

Franco Smith and his coaching staff will take the reins for the remainder of the Super Rugby matches against the Waratahs and the Bulls.

In a statement from the Cheetahs the Union said that Smith taking over the Cheetahs at the end of this season, “It would be a good opportunity for the new coaching staff to start working with the players. Hawies Fourie will stay on until the end of the Super Rugby competition, unless he comes to a different agreement with Franco Smith, from where he will re-join the Griquas as head coach.”