Smith to continue coaching Cheetahs

NEWS: Newly-appointed Cheetah Coach Hawies Fourie will join the team a bit later due to illness.

Fourie recently had surgery and was advised by doctors not to start working immediately.

The 2019/20 Pro14 season kicks off on Friday, September 27 with the opening match between the Cheetahs and Glasgow Warriors at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Franco Smith has agreed to coach the Cheetahs for the first three matches of the season.

*Meanwhile, the Cheetahs have announced a squad of players that will assemble on Monday, September 16 ahead of the new Pro14 season.

With the exception of Jacques du Toit, who joined the Southern Kings, the rest of the players who played in the Currie Cup will be joining the squad a few days later after a break.

Two new players, Chris Massyn and Duncan Saal, will be joining the team on October 1 and November 1 respectively.

Cheetahs squad: Adriaan Carelse, Aidon Davis, Ali Mgijima, Anthony Volmink (Griqua loan player), Aya Oliphant, Boan Venter, Carel Jan Coetzee, Charles Marais, Chris Smit (new), Conan le Fleur, Craig Barry (new), Daniel Maartens, Dian Badenhorst, Eduard Davids, Francois Agenbag, George Whitehead (Griqua loan player), Gerhard Olivier, Gunther van Vuuren, Jannus Venter, JP du Preez, JW Meads, Keanan Murray, Luan de Bruin, Lubabalo Dubela, Malcolm Jaer, Nathan Jordan, Oupa Mohoje, Rabz Maxwane, Reinach Venter, Rewan Kruger, Rhyno Smith (new), Ruwald van der Merwe, Sias Koen, Sibabalo Qoma, Tapiwa Mafura, Wilmar Arnoldi.