The Toyota Cheetahs are entering a new era, and at the helm is none other than Springbok legend Frans Steyn, who has officially taken over as head coach. The move comes after Izak van der Westhuizen was demoted following a disappointing Challenge Cup campaign that saw the Bloemfontein side miss out on the last-16.

Steyn, who has been the Cheetahs’ Director of Rugby since October 2023, will now lead the team into the upcoming SA Cup, with Van der Westhuizen focusing on the forwards. But Steyn isn’t going into this alone—he’s already pulling in some big names to bolster the coaching setup.

CALLING IN THE SPRINGBOK HEAVYWEIGHTS

According to Cheetahs CEO Rory Duncan, Steyn has reached out to Springbok scrum coach Daan Human and legendary No. 8 Duane Vermeulen to offer their expertise and help shape the Cheetahs squad.

“I know Frans is in contact with Springbok assistant coaches like Daan Human and Duane Vermeulen to occasionally lend a hand with the coaching,” Duncan told Rapport. “It would obviously be great.”

Vermeulen, now a Springbok “mobi-unit” coach, has been playing a role in assisting various national teams, including South Africa’s men’s, women’s, and junior squads. If he joins the Cheetahs in a mentorship role, his wealth of experience could be invaluable in shaping a new generation of players.

A NEW-LOOK COACHING TEAM

Steyn won’t just have Vermeulen and Human in his corner—he’ll also have another decorated Springbok, Ruan Pienaar, stepping into a coaching role for the first time.

“All three coaches bring a wealth of experience in professional rugby, and the Toyota Cheetahs are fortunate to have them in our camp,” Duncan added in a statement published on SA Rugby Magazine.

But let’s be clear—this is a gamble. Steyn and Pienaar are coaching rookies, making this a bold move by the Cheetahs hierarchy. Their playing resumes are legendary—Steyn is a two-time Rugby World Cup winner (2007, 2019), and Pienaar is one of the most experienced scrum-halves to have played for South Africa. But how will they fare as coaches?

CHEETAHS NEED A REBUILD – FAST

The Cheetahs remain the biggest South African franchise excluded from the United Rugby Championship, while the Bulls, Lions, Sharks, and Stormers continue competing at the highest level.

Their lack of URC involvement has hurt their squad depth, and Duncan admitted that revitalizing their local talent pipeline is a priority.

“Before I left, 40% to 45% of the players came through our own academy structures,” Duncan told SARugbymag. “That pipeline is something we need to re-establish. We need to retain as much of our own talent as possible. We have good schools in the area.”

The Cheetahs will look to schools like Grey College, as well as universities such as Shimlas (University of the Free State) and Ixias (Central University of Technology), to bring through the next wave of homegrown stars.

NEXT STOP: SA CUP

The first test for Steyn and his new-look coaching staff comes in the SA Cup, which kicks off on March 8, with the Cheetahs facing the Boland Cavaliers in Wellington. It’s a fresh start, and all eyes will be on Steyn, Pienaar, and (potentially) Vermeulen to see if they can bring the Cheetahs back to their former glory.

🚨 Is this a masterstroke or a massive risk for the Cheetahs? Can Steyn and Pienaar thrive in coaching as they did in their playing careers? Drop your thoughts below! 👇👇👇

📅 CHEETAHS SA CUP FIXTURE:

🆚 Boland Cavaliers – 8 March, Wellington

📢 Story by Jay

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