Naka: Why I released Daniller
Veteran fullback Hennie Daniller will depart for Italian club Zebre, after the Super Rugby season, with the imprimatur of Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské.
Speaking to rugby365, ahead of their Super Rugby Round 15 trip to Newlands, Drotské admitted the departure of Daniller will be a "big setback".
Daniller will join a rapidly expanding group of South African players lured to Europe and Japan by much bigger salaries than they earn at home. His teammates at Zebre in northern Italian city Parma will include former Cheetahs lock Andries Ferreira.
Other high-profile former Cheetahs currently plying their trade in Europe include Robert Ebersohn and Juan Smith.
"The reason I decided to release Hennie [Daniller early from his contract] is to say thanks for seven years of loyal service to the Cheetahs," Drotské told this website.
"He has done his miles for Free State and has been with us since 2007," the coach said of the fullback that turned 30 this year.
"After what [the service] he has given to us, we decided to release him to say thanks for his contribution.
"Every player, at some stage, would like to get the experience of playing abroad and now is a good time for him to go."
Drotské told rugby365 that they have been working on a possible replacement.
"We do have plans in place," he said, adding: "I can't talk about it, as it has not been confirmed, but we do have plans in place."
By Jan de Koning
