Free State Rugby is incredibly proud of the top coaches from the Cheetahs who have been appointed by SARU.

Daan Human, a former scrum coach and ex-Cheetah player has been appointed by SARU as the new Springbok scrum coach.   The newly appointed head coach of the Springboks, Jacques Nienaber, was also involved at the Cheetahs as a physiotherapist for the Free State under 21’s and from 2005 to 2007 as fitness and conditioning coach for the Free State Cheetahs. 

Free State Rugby is proud of the fact that almost all the top coaches in South Africa hails from the Free State and it is therefore clear that Free State is not only a developer of talented players but also coaches, referees and administrators. 

Besides Nienaber and Human, the Rugby Wold Cup winning coach, Rassie Erasmus and the Springbok Sevens coach, Neil Powell are all from the Free State.

Former Toyota Cheetah coach, Franco Smith has recently been appointed as the head coach of the Italian National side and he invited the Toyota Cheetah kicking coach, Albert Keuris, to assist the Azzurri as consultant for a week or two.

The ex-Cheetah player Brendan Venter was also a backline consultant for the Springboks and still is a well-recognised consultant in international rugby. 

The head coach of the Bulls, Pote Human and his assistant coach, Pine Pienaar are both from Free State Rugby.  

Apart from the names mentioned, Jaco Peyper, number 1 SA Referee, Vivian Verwant, Springbok physiotherapist and former Springbok team manager, Ian Swarts are all from the Free State. 

It is therefore clear that Free State and the Cheetahs produce not only top players, but also coaches, referees and administrators for SA Rugby and the Free State Rugby family is extremely proud of these achievements. 

One can ask - is there something Free State Rugby do that initiates this?  It can only be said that there is some rugby approach in the Free State that contributes to offer opportunities to not only to players, but also referees, officials and coaches to rise out to the highest levels in rugby.

As a matter of fact; one of the mission statements of Free State Rugby is that we offer opportunities.