Springbok Luan Pienaar has been named as the front-runner to take over as Cheetahs' manager should Hayes Hooley leave in the near future.
Also read | Springboks in 'Chasing the Sun 2' trailer: 'Ounce Mark's 'nf*kken plan''
Pienaar signed a contract extension with the Cheetahs last July, extending his career beyond his 40th birthday.
The Springbok, who has 88 Test caps, has long been rumored to take over as coach after his retirement, but it is now expected that he will retire at the end of the 2023/24 season.
According to the Sunday newspaper rapportPienaar's transition into coaching could be hastened after Fourie, who is currently the Cheetahs' head coach, accepted an offer to coach Boland.
Foley, who coached the Cheetahs to the Currie Cup title in 2023, began his coaching career in the Western Cape and is seen as someone who can help Boland to promotion to the Premier Division.
If Hooley accepts the offer, the Cheetahs will reportedly stay out of his way. Cheetahs assistant coach Isak van der Westhuizen is also seen as a strong candidate to replace Hooley, in which case Pienaar would be appointed backline coach.
ALSO READ | Sharks pour millions of cash into World Cup-winning Springboks?
Pienaar is already in talks with the Cheetahs over a coaching role as he ends his playing career.
The former Springbok playmaker has signed a one-year contract to continue playing for the Cheetahs in 2024 and has yet to make a final decision on his future, but reports suggest he will be adding to his experience next season. There were expectations that the department would be returned to the Union.
ALSO READ | Can this local player add to his two Springbok caps?
