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Rugby

Smith fit and ready to start at flyhalf against Province

───   MORGAN PIEK 11:15 Fri, 15 Aug 2025

Smith fit and ready to start at flyhalf against Province | News Article
Franco Smith Jr. Photo: Morgan Piek

The 25-year-old Franco Smith Jr is fit and ready to take the field at flyhalf on Saturday when the Toyota Cheetahs face Western Province in Bloemfontein in round four of the Currie Cup.

Smith was originally named to start in the number 10 jersey this week, but an ankle injury in training on Tuesday raised genuine concerns that he might miss out on his first home start for the team in the Currie Cup. The disappointment on his face was clear to see, but thankfully, it was short-lived. He has made a full recovery and is set to run out, with seasoned campaigner Clayton Blommetjies providing cover off the bench.

Although Smith has spent most of his senior career playing at inside centre, he is no stranger to marshalling the backline. He played flyhalf until the age of 17 and even started at ten in the EPCR Challenge Cup against Lyon in France. With his father, Franco Smith, having worn the Springbok green-and-gold in both the 10 and 12 jerseys, it seems flyhalf is very much in his DNA.

Franco Smith. Photo: Morgan Piek

Smith Jr told OFM Sport that the versatility of players like All Blacks great Dan Carter and England’s Owen Farrell has always inspired him, and he hopes to emulate their intelligence in both positions.

“When I was younger, I played 10 and 12. I played 10 until I was 17, then moved to inside centre, but in my junior rugby I also played 10, 12 and 13,” he explained.

“Growing up, watching players like Owen Farrell and Dan Carter – guys who could do both and get the best out of both worlds – was a real inspiration. I’m ready for that challenge, and I think being able to play both positions definitely makes you a more complete player.”


Smith added that while he looks up to Carter and Farrell, his ultimate inspiration has always been his father, who is now the head coach of the Glasgow Warriors in Scotland, and remains the only tactician to guide teams to the Varsity Cup, Currie Cup, and United Rugby Championship titles.

“Obviously, I don’t even need to mention my dad – he’s been the inspiration for both me and my brother (Juan) in the positions we play. We always joke that I’m the 12 side of the family, and my brother is the 10 side, because my dad played both so well. The insights he’s shared over the years about both positions have had a huge influence on how we play and read the game.”

Mihlali Mosi. Photo: Morgan Piek

Despite being with the Cheetahs for a while, Smith admitted he has yet to play a full match for the team – something he hopes to change on Saturday against the visitors from the Mother City.

“Last week, playing at 12, I could feel it’s been a long time since I started a full game. I played about 90% of it, and now this weekend at flyhalf, the goal is obviously to finish the game and contribute as much as I can for the team.”

Meanwhile, live-wire loose forward Mihlali Mosi is set to make his Cheetahs debut after returning from a few years at the Bulls in Pretoria. Mosi will start at flank, with Gideon van der Merwe and the in-form Neels Volschenk completing the loose trio.

Cheetahs - 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Banie Britz, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 Franco Smith, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Neels Volschenk, 7 Mihlali Mosi, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete (captain), 4 Juan Venter, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Chucky van der Westhuizen, 1 Hencus van Wyk

Replacements - 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Cameron Delport, 18 Frankie Dos Reis, 19 Thabang Mahlasi, 20 Sasko Ndlovu, 21 Jandré Nel, 22 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 23 Clayton Blommetjies

Western Province - 15 Tristan Leyds, 14 Shilton Van Wyk, 13 Gino Cupido, 12 Damian Markus, 11 Joel Leotlela, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Louw Nel, 7 Riley Norton, 6 Gideon Van Wyk, 5 Gary Porter (captain), 4 Alex Groves, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Mhleli Khuzwayo

Replacements - 16 Luca Bakkes, 17 Oliver Reid, 18 Herman Lubbe, 19 Adam De Waal, 20 Enos Ndiao, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Luke Burger, 23 Jared Africa

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek

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