Cheetahs bigwig Harold Verster has provided the clearest indication yet that the franchise's future is safe despite being sidelined from South Africa's future in PRO Rugby.
In his address at the Free State Rugby Union's annual general meeting on Wednesday evening, the 70-year-old special advisor - Verster recently retired from his position as CEO - noted that discussions with SA Rugby and all other relevant stakeholders moved forward this past week.
"We'll shortly be in a position to announce that the Cheetahs have bounced back, just like we've done before," he said.
"We returned from Johannesburg today (Wednesday) where we were engaged in negotiations. On Tuesday, we had a meeting with SA Rugby. There will be a future."
Asked afterwards if he could elaborate on the plans, Verster declined to go into detail.
"Things didn't work out like we wanted it to, but during the past three months I've worked really hard with President Jerry Segwaba and franchise chairman Ryno Opperman to find a suitable competition to play in, a legacy," he told Netwerk24.
"We're going to leave something wonderful behind, that's my comfort. There's something beautiful on the way."
The threat of litigation was also on the table though the franchise continually stated that would only be a last resort.
- Compiled by Sport24 Staff
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