MJ Smith named Currie Cup coach

Cape Town - MJ Smith has been appointed as head coach of the Free State Cheetahs for the start of the 2016 Currie Cup competition.

Smith, younger brother of Cheetahs Super Rugby coach Franco, will oversee the first part of the Currie Cup campaign before his brother takes charge for the second stage once Super Rugby has been concluded.

Free State’s Director of Rugby, Rory Duncan, told Netwerk24 that the move is to keep continuity within both teams.

“As it stands, MJ will coach Free State in the first round, which was previously the Vodacom Cup, with Franco taking over later. At the moment our philosophy is to implement and use the same coaching structures across the board,” said Duncan.

The 40-year-old MJ Smith, who was in charge of the Free State Under-21 team this year, will be assisted by Izak van der Westhuizen (forwards coach), Sino Ganto (backline coach) and KK Hlongwane (team manager).