Dual Cheetahs-Bok role doesn't scare me - Franco
Cheetahs coach Franco Smith strongly believes he will cope well with burning the candle at both ends in his dual role as a Super Rugby franchise coach and assistant coach at the Springboks.
"I think it is definitely possible. It's been done before," says Smith, alluding to Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham's recent dual role with the Wallabies.
"It's not like it is an impossible task," he adds.
"I must emphasize I don't want to neglect either of the roles, so it boils down to effective time management."
Smith led the Free State Cheetahs to Currie Cup success last year and is in the process of transforming that unit into a competitive Super Rugby outfit.
Although it may have been a flawed second half performance, the Bloemfontein side made giant strides in a narrow 32-28 victory over the Bulls at the weekend and made the Lions' life difficult the previous week in a see-saw encounter which could have gone either way.
"The biggest benefit for me being in the front line now for the Boks through the year is that it will help improve my own coaching ability and enhance my skills," Smith points out.
Loathe to single out any other teams in world rugby, Smith says he is impressed with SA Rugby's strides to put the national team first.
Being one of the franchise coaches and having sat in on the recent coaching indabas, Smith praised the SA Rugby authorities for what he termed a 'bold, ball in hand approach'.
He is quick, however, to caution that there is still a vast difference between Super Rugby and Test rugby, but praised the franchises for 'chipping in and bettering the players'.
The early season training camp wraps up in Johannesburg on Tuesday and the players will all return to their Super Rugby franchises.
The Lions players have been released early as they were scheduled to fly out to Argentina for their clash against the Jaguares on Saturday evening (9.40pm SA time).
Video by Trevor Cramer