Rassie Erasmus to help the Cheetahs replace Franco Smith

Springbok Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has been tasked with helping the Cheetahs appoint a new head coach, according to reports.

According to South African newspaper the Rapport, Erasmus has been approached by the Free State Rugby Union in his capacity as SA Rugby director of rugby to assist in the process of identifying the best possible candidates to replace Franco Smith.

Smith is set to take over from as the Italy head coach after the World Cup after the Bloemfontein franchise confirmed that the deal had been offered to their head coach earlier this month.

Smith would replace Conor O’Shea as Italy head coach after the World Cup, starting work as early as January 2020.

Erasmus, Smith and other Cheetahs officials will reportedly meet on Thursday to start the process.

According to the report, O'Shea would move into a Director of Rugby role with Italy while Smith takes over as the national side's head coach.