Duncan succeeds Ross van Reenen, who stepped down at the end of November 2024. For Duncan, this marks a full-circle moment, returning to a franchise where he once excelled as a player, Currie Cup-winning captain, head coach, and director of rugby.

In addition to his illustrious history with the Cheetahs, Duncan brings a wealth of experience from aboard. He previously served as head coach of the Worcester Warriors in England and had a stint in Japan as well.

Rory Duncan. Photo: Facebook

With Duncan’s return there certainly is a lot of excitement, while by the same token, it’s also met with a sense of apprehension, and this is perfectly natural with change.

Notably, he played a pivotal role in securing the Cheetahs’ participation in the PRO14 (now the United Rugby Championship) following their exclusion from Super Rugby. The joy was, however, short-lived after the Cheetahs, as well as the Southern Kings, were unceremoniously dumped out of the competition to make way for the Bulls, Lions, Sharks, and Stormers with the formation of the URC.

Taking the reins of the Cheetahs now, Duncan faces significant challenges. A key priority will be steering the team back into a prominent international competition, ensuring the franchise remains a competitive force not only in rugby but abroad as well. Equally important is addressing the uncertainty surrounding the Cheetahs’ participation in the SA Cup which is scheduled to kick off in March.

In the first season of the PRO14, Rory Duncan coached the Cheetahs to the playoffs. Photo: Facebook

Currently, the Cheetahs are limited to competing in the SA Cup, the Currie Cup, and the EPCR Challenge Cup. Unfortunately, their involvement in the Challenge Cup guarantees only four matches per season, none of which are scheduled at home. This lack of consistent high-profile fixtures further underscores the importance of Duncan’s leadership in navigating the team’s path forward.

With a legacy deeply tied to the franchise and a proven track record on and off the field, Duncan’s appointment represents a promising step for the Cheetahs as they aim to reclaim their place among rugby’s elite.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg