CHEETAHS head coach Rory Duncan will swap the Guinness Pro 14 for the Aviva Premiership in the summer when he joins Worcester Warriors as head coach.
During the current campaign Duncan has led the Cheetahs to third position in Conference A of the Pro 14 after eight wins from their opening 13 games.
The former lock originally made the move into coaching in 2012 and joined the Free State Cheetahs in 2014 to coach their Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup teams.
He took on his current role last summer, where he also oversees the side in South Africa’s domestic Currie Cup competition.
In his playing days Duncan represented the Sharks, before going on to play for the Cheetahs. He was part of the Cheetahs’ Currie Cup winning side in 2006, before captaining the team to another Currie Cup victory in 2007.
He then moved to Yamaha Jubilo in Japan before going on to captain the Eastern Province Kings, where he played underneath Warriors Director of Rugby Alan Solomons.
“Rory was my captain at the Eastern Province Kings, where he showed outstanding leadership qualities and a clear ability to develop as a coach,” Solomons said.
“When he retired at the end of the season I was able to assist him in his transition to coaching and we have remained in touch.
“As expected he has turned out to be an outstanding coach and I had no hesitation in appointing him to the head coach position at Warriors, an appointment which has been endorsed by our chairman Bill Bolsover.
“I look forward to working with Rory at Sixways, where I know he will add huge value.”
Duncan said: “I am immensely excited about the challenge of moving to Warriors and linking up with Alan Solomons once again.
“Warriors are a club with huge potential, which is clear for everyone to see, and I will be working hard with Alan and the rest of the coaching staff to help the club move forward.”
Chairman Bill Bolsover said: “Our focus must be on building long-term continuity and Rory is someone who can come to the club and become a key part of our future. I look forward to welcoming him to Sixways in the summer.”