The Toyota Cheetahs have announced the appointment of rugby legend Frans Steyn as Director of Rugby.

The two-time World Cup-winning Springbok and an accomplished player with an illustrious career will bring his extensive knowledge and experience, albeit in a different capacity to the Cheetahs, from 1 November 2023. 

As Director of Rugby, Steyn will be responsible for actively promoting Cheetah rugby in our schools and developing a junior pipeline for our future Cheetah players. He will oversee rugby operations, contributing to the team’s strategy, player development, and the pursuit of excellence on and off the field.

Steyn expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, saying, “I am excited to step into this new role. My initial focus will be to actively promote Cheetah rugby at school and junior level. I look forward to working closely with MJ Smith (COO) to elevate the rugby programme and build on the proud history of the Cheetahs.”

Steyn and his family enjoy living in Bloemfontein and his kids are well-established in one of the excellent schools the city offers, which placed the Toyota Cheetahs in a favourable position to retain his service.

Ross van Reenen, CEO of the Toyota Cheetahs, also shared his thoughts on the appointment, stating, “I’m delighted that Frans accepted the offer to remain to serve the Cheetahs. Frans Steyn is an iconic figure in world rugby, and we are extremely fortunate to have him in our fold. His rugby expertise and passion for the game align perfectly with our vision for the Toyota Cheetahs. We believe he will help reinvent and re-establish the Toyota Cheetahs as a force to be reckoned with.”

Frans Steyn was one of the most versatile players in world rugby, playing at flyhalf, centre and fullback. His playing career included Rugby World Cup victories in 2007 and 2019 with the Springboks, as well as a successful club career both in South Africa (Sharks, Cheetahs) and overseas (Racing Metro 92, Toshiba Brave Lupus, Montpellier).

He represented the Cheetahs in 28 matches and made a significant impact on and off the field. His last match was the Currie Cup game against the Vodacom Bulls on 24 March in the Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein, where he sustained a knee injury and announced his retirement in July.