Cape Town - Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské has confirmed reports that flyhalf Sias Ebersohn will be departing the Bloemfontein franchise, having signed a two-year contract with Australian Super Rugby team, the Western Force.

"Following extensive negotiations with Sias Ebersohn's agent Gerrie Swart, both the Free State Cheetahs Union and I have decided to free Sias from his contract in 2013," said Drotské, according to the official Free State Cheetahs blog.

Drotské went on to say that "Sias feels he'd like more exposure to rugby at the highest level and the opportunity the Western Force is offering him will be a step in the right direction for him as a player in order to achieve those goals. We didn't wish to stand in his way and thus have released him from his contract next year. We wish him all the best for his future and thank him for the role he played at the Cheetahs."

Ebersohn will join the Force after this year's Absa Currie Cup.

Ebersohn has filled in at flyhalf for the Cheetahs this Super Rugby season following the shoulder injury to regular No 10 Johan Goosen.

The Cheetahs have already lost the services of locks Izak van der Merwe and George Earle to Edinburgh and Llanelli respectively, while prop WP Nel (also Edinburgh) and loose forward Ashley Johnson (London Wasps) will also leave the franchise after this year's Super Rugby tournament.

The Force previously had former Lions and Springbok pivot Andre Pretorius on their books.