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Bloemfontein - The Cheetahs have agreed to grant head coach Naka Drotske an early release from his contract.
Drotske recently announced that he would be stepping down as coach after this year's Super Rugby competition, with Franco Smith named as his successor.
However, with forwards coach Os du Randt allowed to undertake a coaching opportunity abroad, Drotske has asked for an earlier release from his contract.
Drotske will be released from his contract after the Cheetahs’ Super Rugby clash against the Stormers at Newlands on May 30.
Smith and his coaching staff will take the reins for the Cheetahs' final two Super Rugby matches against the Waratahs and the Bulls.
Backline coach Hawies Fourie will stay on until the end of the Super Rugby competition, unless he comes to a different agreement with Smith, from where he will re-join the Griquas as head coach.
“Os du Randt has accepted a very exciting opportunity to coach abroad and to be an ambassador for the Cheetahs. He will leave the Cheetahs during the first week of June. A full media conference is scheduled for May 23 in the Free State Stadium where details of his departure will be discussed,” the Cheetahs said via a media statement on Tuesday.
“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 Griquas 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 have full understanding for his position and agreed to his request.”
