Following on our series of articles about the player pedigrees, it was suggested we do the same for the coaching teams. To do the entire spectrum of a Super Rugby Coaching personnel would be too encompassing (the research was hard enough), so I am going to focus only on the people responsible for the main portfolios of Head, Backline, Forwards and Defence coaches.
Cheetahs Coaching Team:
Head Coach:
Allen Erasmus “Naka”Drotské:
Born in Senekal on 15 March 1971, Naka attended Grey College in Bloemfontein.
Naka is a former Cheetahs and Springbok rugby player. He has been head coach of the Cheetahs since 2007. Prior to that he was Player/Assistant Coach under Rassie Erasmus.
He had a successful career as a rugby player, playing mostly hooker for the Free State Cheetahs since 1993, and the Springboks since 1993 (26 caps). He was a member of the Springbok World Cup teams of 1995 (World Cup Winners Medal), and 1999.
He has also represented the Cheetahs, Bulls, and European Club London Irish over a professional career spanning from 1993 to 2006. After retiring as a player he went directly into a coaching role. He made his debut as Head Coach for the Cheetahs in 2007, after serving as an apprentice in a player/coach role under Rassie Erasmus.
Coaching Career & Achievements:
Provincial Record:
- 2005 – Winner of ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division (Player/Asst. Coach)
- 2006 – Shared Winner of ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division Final (Player/Asst. Coach)
- 2007 – Winner of ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division (Head Coach)
- 2008 – Losing Semi-Finalist of ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division (Head Coach)
- 2009 – Losing Finalist of ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division (Head Coach)
- 2010 – Losing Semi – Finalist of ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division (Head Coach)
- 2011 – Losing Semi – Finalist of ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division (Head Coach)
- 2012 – Non Qualifier for Semi-Finals of ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division (Head Coach)
Super Rugby:
- 2007 – Vodacom Cheetahs (Head Coach) Log Position 11th (4 Wins, 8 Losses, 1 Draw)
- 2008 – Vodacom Cheetahs (Head Coach) Log Position 13th (1 Wins, 12 Losses)
- 2009 – Vodacom Cheetahs (Head Coach) Log Position 14th (2 Wins, 11 Losses)
- 2010 – Vodacom Cheetahs (Head Coach) Log Position 10th (5 Wins, 7 Losses, 1 Draw)
- 2011 – Toyota Cheetahs (Head Coach) Log Position 11th (5 Wins, 11 Losses)
- 2012 – Toyota Cheetahs (Head Coach)Log Position 10th (5 Wins, 11 Losses)
When reviewing Naka’s coaching career, one must bear in mind that, as coach of one of the poorer big unions in South Africa, Naka has had far less financial, and thus player resources at his disposal. This makes his task more difficult, than that of his peers, who have sometimes double the player budgets to work with. It leaves little margin for error when contracting players. That said, considering, that Naka went straight from a player, to player/coach, and head coach in a period of three years, he has done remarkably well.
Assistant Coach – Backline:
Hawies Fourie:
Hawies has been Assistant Coach (Backline) of the Cheetahs since 2008. Prior to that he had experience as Assistant Coach (Boland, South Africa “A”, Stormers), and Head Coach of Boland.
He played provincial rugby for Boland from 2002 to 2007, and also represented the Stormers in Super Rugby (2006).
Coaching Career & Achievements:
Provincial Record:
- 2002 – Losing Semi-Finalist of Vodacom Cup (Assistant Coach)
- 2003 – Vodacom Shield (Head Coach)
- 2004 – Winner of Vodacom Shield (Head Coach)
Super Rugby:
- 2006 – Vodacom Stormers (Backline Coach) Log Position 11th (4 Wins, 8 Losses, 1 Draw)
- 2007 – Vodacom Stormers (Backline Coach) Log Position 10th (6 Wins, 7 Losses)
- 2008 – Vodacom Cheetahs (Backline Coach) Log Position 14th (2 Wins, 11 Losses)
- 2010 – Vodacom Cheetahs (Backline Coach) Log Position 10th (5 Wins, 7 Losses, 1 Draw)
- 2011 – Toyota Cheetahs (Backline Coach) Log Position 11th (5 Wins, 11 Losses)
- 2012 – Toyota Cheetahs (Backline Coach) Log Position 10th (5 Wins, 11 Losses)
Hawies is held in high regard as a Backline Coach, and under his coaching, the Cheetahs have gained a reputation for their attacking backline play. Many would consider him in a role as Springbok backline coach. High praise indeed.
Assistant Coach – Forwards:
Jacobus Petrus “Os” du Randt:
Born in Elliot on 08 September 1972, Os attended Adelaide Gymnasium.
Os has been Forwards Coach of the Cheetahs since 2008. He was also the Springbok Scrum Coach for a while assisting Pieter de Villiers.
As a former Cheetahs and Springbok player (80 caps), few can rival Os’ professional rugby career. He was part of three World Cup campaigns (1995, 1999, 2007) and has two World Cup Medals. In addition he has been part of the successful Cheetahs team that contested five Currie Cup finals (1997, 2004 – 2007), winning two (2005, 2007), and sharing one( 2006). His knowledge of the dark art of prop play is renowned.
Coaching Career & Achievements:
Provincial Record:
- 2008 – Losing Semi-Finalist of ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division (Forwards Coach)
- 2009 – Losing Finalist of ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division (Forwards Coach)
- 2010 – Losing Semi – Finalist of ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division (Forwards Coach)
- 2011 – Losing Semi – Finalist of ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division (Forwards Coach)
- 2012 – Non Qualifier for Semi-Finals of ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division (Forwards Coach)
Super Rugby:
- 2008 – Vodacom Cheetahs (Forwards Coach) Log Position 13th (1 Wins, 12 Losses)
- 2009 – Vodacom Cheetahs (Forwards Coach) Log Position 14th (2 Wins, 11 Losses)
- 2010 – Vodacom Cheetahs (Forwards Coach) Log Position 10th (5 Wins, 7 Losses, 1 Draw)
- 2011 – Toyota Cheetahs (Forwards Coach) Log Position 11th (5 Wins, 11 Losses)
- 2012 – Toyota Cheetahs (Forwards Coach)Log Position 10th (5 Wins, 11 Losses)
Os’ rugby relationship with Head Coach Naka goes back many years. They played together in the frontrow for both the Cheetahs and the Springboks. They know and compliment each other very well in their respective roles. Both proponents of forward play, it is their good understanding that has made them a good combination for the Cheetahs coaching team.
Assistant Coach – Defence:
Michael Horak:
Born in Johannesburg on 03 June 1977, Michael attended Grey College in Bloemfontein.
Michael has been the Defence Coach of the Cheetahs since the end of 2010.
Michael has had a varied and successful playing career, starting with Craven Week for the Free State in 1995, he then played Free State u/21 before switching codes in 1997. He signed for the Perth Reds, and also represented South Africa in Rugby League. In 1997 he went back to Union, playing mostly in Europe, for various clubs namely Leicster Tigers (1997 – 1999) Bristol (1999), London Irish (1999 – 2007), Benetton Treviso (2007 – 2009), and Saracens (2009 – 2010). In addition he represented England (1 cap). His dual code experience, gives him valuable insight into defence systems in the game.
Coaching Career & Achievements:
Provincial Record:
- 2011 – Losing Semi – Finalist of ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division (Defence Coach)
- 2012 – Non Qualifier for Semi-Finals of ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division (Defence Coach)
Super Rugby:
- 2011 – Toyota Cheetahs (Defence Coach) Log Position 11th (5 Wins, 11 Losses).
- 2012 – Toyota Cheetahs (Defence Coach)Log Position 10th (5 Wins, 11 Losses).
The coaching team of the Toyota Cheetahs may not boast many Super Rugby titles, but they sure have a wealth of experience, and given the resources at their disposal do a fine job.
Good stuff thanks Cheetah, interesting for me to see the opinion on Drotske as it seems there are some who think he has done a good job and others who think he may be the weak link at your franchise, must say he was pushed quite quickly into the position. Guess regardless of whether folk think he is good or not he seems to have a very good set of assistants around him, admit have not been following too closely previously but note you have Horak as defence coach and as you say his experience in league may come in handy, although has defence maybe not been a weakness of Cheetahs in last few years. Remember as a player a lot of big things were thought of Horak seems as if maybe he didn’t quite completely fulfil his potential maybe his time out to league hindered him a bit in union, but still to have had a career for many different clubs and even an international cap is something to be proud of for him.
@ Bully,
How are you man? To be fair, I think Naka gets more from what is generally a group with little big name stars. He has difficulties (mostly due to financial constraints), that would put the likes of Ludeke and Plumtree in an instituition, yet he manages to keep the Cheetahs competitive.
To get a defensive structure going might take a while, that said, the Cheetahs can ill afford lapses on defense. That more than anything else has prevented them from ending up in playoff contention. Last year they were amongst the top try scoring teams, but alas also leaked as many. That more than anything has cost the Cheetahs over the past two years.
Again this year they have a pretty solid pack, with top class half backs, and pacey outside backs. They now need to get their defence sorted too.
Sorry, jammer om van julle kak te hoor…. hehehehe
What happened to Dougie Heymans? I always rated him as a brilliant scrum coach.
leon wrote:
Dougie Heymans is possibly the best tighthead prop that this country has produced. He was so underrated and incredibly unlucky not to be a Springbok.
He shoved my head up my arse on more than one occasion.
5 @ Loosehead,
Agreed, and a chilled dude as well. Don’t recall him getting riled! Not like them Bester bro’s! Dirty blighters them two were! I also rated Daan Human.
2 @ Cheetah4eva:
Going good thanks man hope same your side? Certainly sounds like you rate Drotske there and your players quite highly too, detected big sense of optimism regarding player quality and strength of depth from your player articles, so your good coach finally has an ace pool of players to work with so no excuses then for this season hey buddy
6 @ Cheetah4eva:
I was at training the night Naka was moved from flank to hooker. Piet and Andre bliksemed him stukkend.
The Bester brothers, what can one say. Piet was not a big man, but had the best technique that I have ever seen. Andre was as good a hooker as any. He was mostly kept on the bench by Wessel Lightfoot. They were both vuilgatte of note.
7 @ Bullscot:
Naka is not the best coach around, and the Cheetahs job is probably the only high level coaching job that he will ever get (much like Ludeke at the Bools). When you look at some of his results though, he has the ability to beat better teams on a regular basis, just ask the Crusaders.
Agree with Loosehead, Naka just seems to get the best out of his players. Maybe, he surrounds himself with quality assistants, as Bully noted, be that as it may, it’s part and parcel of being a successful coach.
I always answer those that criticize Naka as follows. Give Naka the Sharks or Bulls squad, and then let plum or Ludeke work with the Cheetahs squad. If they do substantially better, then I will also slate Naka. But I realise, it is tough working with a very limited budget, and getting your contracting spot on. In addition, you still have to try and retain stars that get poached by other unions.
Naka has my grudging respect in this regard.
8 @ Loosehead, Yes I remember Lightfoot, very much a hooker in the same mould as Strauss, also blond haired chap. ja nee those Bester bros, didn’t take any shit, and were also not slow to cause any either lol.
@ Loosehead:
I don’t understand why the cheetahs don’t use Dougie as scrum coach. To me it looks like the cheetahs scrum has stagnated a bit under Os.
@leon,
Don’t necessarily agree, The Cheetahs scrum at full strength has been strong, unfortunately, there isn’t much Os can do about injuries. At one stage, the Cheetahs were without Coenie (injured), WP Nel (Europe) and Nyakane (injured. So they eventually had Marcel vd Merwe and Schalk vd Merwe as their props. Take jannie, Beast and Herbst out of the sharks front row, and not even Dougie could make them a force.
The Cheetahs scrum with Nyakane/Caylib, Strauss, Coenie, Ferreira, Muller, Brüssow, Viljoen, and vd Walt will not be pushed around, believe me.
@ Cheetah4eva:
Maybe your right. Only few year ago, every team that played the cheetahs always had to make some sort of arrangement to counter their scrum. I remember in 2007 when Heyneke had to include a unfit Richard Bands, just to scrum.
I wonder why South africa doesn’t produce good props anymore. Bad coaching?, easy living? Bad dieet?
@ leon,
Agreed, in 2007, I think we could pick a scrum from any combinations of Ollie le Roux/Os du Randt/CJ van der Linde, Richardt/Adriaan Strauss, Jannie du Plessis/Wian du Preez. All powerful scrummagers, and locks of Rory Duncan, Corniel van Zyl and Darron Nell. Then loosies like Juan, Hendro Scholtz and Rayno van der Merwe and Kabamba Floors. Now there was a good scrum!
That said, I think we will have a settled scrum this year too.
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