Cheetahs CEO Harold Verster says a report claiming Franco Smith will have to move to Cape Town to keep his Springbok job is ‘mere speculation’.

According to Rapport newspaper, SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has given Smith the choice of moving to Cape Town (where SA Rugby’s offices are based) and remain part of the Bok coaching staff, or staying in Bloemfontein and giving up his role with the national team.

Smith is also the Cheetahs director of rugby and his family is settled in Bloemfontein.

‘As far as we’re concerned, everything said in the media is mere speculation,’ Verster told Netwerk24.

‘From our viewpoint, he is the director of rugby here and he’s the official attack coach of the Springboks.

‘We have an agreement with SA Rugby that he’ll be with them from time to time and be with us from time to time. On that basis, we have a good agreement.’

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