If Smith, is set to leave the Cheetahs, it will mean that they will be playing in the Pro14 a new coach for a third straight season, after he replaced Rory Duncan at the conclusion of the previous campaign which ended in May 2018.

Smith is no stranger to Italian rugby as see played for Benetton Rugby and also coached the team with success before returning to South Africa.

Smith was a part of Allister Coetzee’s Springbok coach staff, where he served as an assistant while still involved with the Cheetahs. He opted not to stay under the regime change when Rassie Erasmus took over for Coetzee.

The Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd are aware of the offer tabled to Smith, and they indicated that they will deal with the situation swiftly in order to ensure that the team performs at the highest level possible.

"The Management of the Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd is aware of the offer made to the Franco Smith, Head Coach of the Toyota Cheetahs, to coach the Italian National side as from 1 January 2020.

"The situation will be handled at the highest level with the Board of Directors of the Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd.

"Management wish to assure stakeholders, suite holders and supporters that the coaching structures will be properly structured to ensure success.

"Management of the Free State Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd will swiftly deal with the situation and the Board of Directors will see to it that the Cheetah teams perform at the highest levels in all the competitions that they participate in."

@MorganPiek OFM Sport