Cape Town - Kings coach Deon Davids is reportedly being considered as a possible replacement for Franco Smith at the Cheetahs.

Smith, who has been at the helm in Bloemfontein since 2015, will become the Italian national side's head coach following the completion of this year's World Cup in Japan.

According to Afrikaans newspaper Rapport, Davids' name has come up ever since Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus visited the franchise on Thursday last week.

Erasmus, who is believed to rate Davids very highly, has acknowledged that he will play a role in deciding who the next Cheetahs head coach is.

Hawies Fourie is considered the favourite to take the reins, while former director of rugby Rory Duncan has ruled himself out of the running as he continues his coaching role at Worcester Warriors, the report adds.

Another possible appointment, according to the article, could be the movement of attack coach Paul Feeney from the Stormers to the Cheetahs after his contract in Cape Town expires at the end of the 2019 Super Rugby season.

The Cheetahs, meanwhile, finished second-bottom of Conference A in the PRO14 this year with eight wins from 21.

Davids' Kings, meanwhile, finished bottom of Conference B with just two wins all season.