Hendrik Cronje

Bloemfontein –  Former Springbok Dawie Theron has officially retired as the Cheetahs' Super 14 scrum coach.

Os du Randt has been appointed as the scrum doctor for the Super 14 after the success he enjoyed with the Free State Cheetahs at Currie Cup level.

Theron has chosen to devote his attention to the Griquas' assault on defending the Vodacom Cup.

Griquas have lost star players such as Jacques Lombard (lock) and Jonathan Mokuena (eighthman and captain) to the Lions, which makes Theron's task all the more tougher.

Stalwarts such as Riaan Viljoen (fullback) and Naas Olivier (flyhalf), who were key players in the Griquas' Vodacom Cup quest, will also not be available for the Vodacom Cup due to Super 14 commitments.

Cheetahs head coach, Naka Drotské, also confirmed that Barend Pieterse will be retained as the lineout coach.

Negotiations have not yet been finalised regarding the kicking coach, but it is quite possible that consultants will be used.

Family commitments suggest that it is unlikely that former Boks like Louis Koen or Braam van Straaten will be lured into the kicking coach position.

Instead, Drotské may well call on the experienced Eric Herbert, Kennedy Tsimba or Van Straaten from time to time as consultants.