Smith confirmed as Currie Cup coach

Varsity Cup-winning Shimlas coach Franco Smith has been confirmed as the new Free State Cheetahs Currie Cup coach.


Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd confirmed in a media statement on Monday that Smith has accepted their offer to coach the side during this season's Currie Cup.


As a result last season's Currie Cup coach, Rory Duncan, has been "promoted" to the role of Director of Rugby.


The statement also denied media reports that Smith will replace Naka Drotské as Super Rugby coach.


"We want to make it emphatically clear Naka Drotské and his support staff will remain within their roles for the remainder of the current Super Rugby season," the statement said.


"Any media reports in regards to Drotské position at this stage is pure speculation and not accurate."


The added that Drotské's contract only expires at the end of October 2016.


However, the parting note said a media briefing in this regard will take place in the near future.