Venter takes over as Cheetahs captain

FRANCOIS Venter has been named captain of the Toyota Cheetahs ahead of this year’s Super Rugby tournament, taking over from Francois Uys. While Uys will be running out for Japanese club Verblitz, Venter will lead a young Cheetahs outfit that will be without Willie le Roux and Cornal Hendricks who have joined the Sharks and Stormers respectively. The 24-year-old Venter enjoyed his first taste of international rugby last year when he was selected in Michael Cheika’s Barbarians squad that played against Gloucester and Argentina in England in November. He said that taking over as Cheetahs captain was a highlight of his career which started in Bloemfontein. “It is a big privilege for me to lead the team, it comes with great responsibility as well,” said Venter. Coach Franco Smith, will guide the team for his first full season as the team’s mentor after taking over from Naka Drotské for the last two games of the 2015 campaign. Smith has made numerous changes to the team and at the franchise since his inception as the coach, however Venter’s appointment as captain is by far the biggest and most significant to date. Venter’s first task at hand will be lead the Cheetahs and against the new boys on the block – the Jaguars of Argentina in their opening match of the Super Rugby on February 26 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.