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Cape Town - Franco Smith has made his first signing as Cheetahs coach by luring Sharks flyhalf Fred Zeilinga to Bloemfontein.
According to Netwerk24, Zeilinga will join his new team-mates ahead of this year's Currie Cup and will also be available in Super Rugby next year.
Smith will take over as Cheetahs head coach from next week after Naka Drotske was allowed to leave his post earlier.
Zeilinga's signing will be welcomed by Cheetahs fans because the men from Bloemfontein will not be able to call on Joe Pietersen and Francois Brummer's services during the Currie Cup.
Pietersen was only contracted for Super Rugby and is believed to be heading to the Sharks for the Currie Cup, with the Cheetahs not financially capable of holding on to his services.
Sport24 earlier reported about Pietersen's possible move to the Sharks.
Brummer plays for Griquas which means Zeilinga will be the favourite to wear the No 10 jersey for Free State in the Currie Cup.
Other flyhalves he will compete against include Niel Marais, Elgar Watts, Pieter-Steyn de Wet and Noel Marx.
