Johan Goosen is expected to leave the Cheetahs at the end of the Vodacom Super Rugby season.

The 21-year-old visited Racing Métro and Toulon earlier in the year and has also been linked to the Stormers. A move to France looks likely, though, as the Stormers already have Demetri Catrakilis and Kurt Coleman on their books.

Goosen's departure would leave the Cheetahs with just one flyhalf, Elgar Watts, for their Currie Cup campaign, as Riaan Smit is also set to sign with a French club.

The Cheetahs are now trying to lure Sias Ebersohn back to Bloemfontein. Ebersohn signed for the Force at the end of 2012 after falling behind Goosen and Smit in the Cheetahs' pecking order and not getting the game time that he was promised by coach Naka Drotské. However, the 25-year-old is enjoying his time with the Force and will qualify to play for the Wallabies at the end of next year, so a return to South Africa is not a given.

Meanwhile, former Bok back Franco Smit has officially joined the Cheetahs as an assistant coach as current backline coach Hawies Fourie will become Griquas head coach after the Cheetahs' match against the Stormers on 24 May. Fourie's early departure is due to Griquas' need to qualify for the Currie Cup Premier Division through a seven-team tournament.

Photo: Frikkie Kapp/BackpagePix