Naka Drotské

Harold Verster

Toyota Cheetahs & Toyota Free State Cheetahs head coach, Naka Drotské’s contract is set to be extended and the role of Harold Verster, managing director of the Cheetahs Company, is set to be discussed when board members of the franchise meet in Bloemfontein on Wednesday afternoon.

Naka Drotské:

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské is likely to get an extension to his contract by the Bloemfontein-based franchise.

Board members of the franchise will hold a meeting on Wednesday afternoon where Drotské’s contract will be one of the discussion points.

Drotské’s contract expires after this year’s Currie Cup, but it could be extended until the end of 2015.

However, there will be a strong performance clause attached to the new deal.

It appears Drotské’s current contract does not have a strong performance clause but only a “technicality” which apparently only determines what bonus he receives at the end of the season.

The Cheetahs are having a torrid season in Super Rugby this year. They have won only 3 out of 14 matches and currently sit 13th on the overall Super Rugby log.

Harold Verster:

According to reports, Verster’s authority at the franchise will be a hot topic at the meeting.

It is believed a proposal for the Cheetahs to have only a chief executive and not a managing director will be made.

Johan Cronjé, an independent board member of the Griffons, is believed to be the driving force behind the intended change.

Should Cronjé’s proposal be excepted, it is uncertain if Verster would apply for the new chief executive position.

Due to his position as managing director, Verster is also a director of the Cheetahs Company, which means he has a big say in all matters at the franchise. The new chief executive would not have as much authority as the current managing director.

The Cheetahs company consists of three partners – Free State, Griquas and the Griffons.

Verster has a long association with the Free State Rugby Union. He was first appointed as president in 1993 – a role he occupied until 2011 – before taking over as managing director of the Cheetahs Company.

Apart from Free State claiming the Currie Cup under his presidency in 2005, 2006 (joint winners) and 2007, Verster was also the catalyst behind the Cheetahs obtaining many sponsors in the last 20 years. He was also involved in the establishment and construction of the new Free State Stadium in 1995.