One of the Cheetahs flyhalves threw a tizzy fit during the off-season when he came across a squad list pinned to a change-room wall that had Johan Goosen’s name on it.

This is according to veteran rugby writer Gavin Rich, who has written an insightful, in-depth article in the new issue of SA Rugby magazine on the fallout from Goosen's 'retirement'.

Goosen got out of his €500,000 (R7.2-million) a season contract with French club Racing 92, which was set to end in 2020, by 'retiring' from the game last December and accepting a job as a commercial director at a saddle-horse stud farm in Bloemfontein.

There was speculation that the 24-year-old could come out of retirement to play for the Cheetahs in Super Rugby before joining English club Gloucester.

But Cheetahs coach Franco Smith, who was on the Boks' end-of-year tour with Goosen, denied the reports last month, saying: 'I have not thought it possible, because to my knowledge, Johan is contracted in France until 2020. We have not made him an offer or invited him back.' 

However, Goosen was part of the squad list at some stage during pre-season, according to information obtained by Rich, before being removed.

In any event, Cheetahs CEO Rory Duncan has since confirmed that Goosen is untouchable until he either patches up his problems with Racing or someone pays the buy-out fee of €1-million.

In the SA Rugby magazine article:

– Why Goosen's career could be over
– Was he badly advised by his agent?
– Did Goosen know he was giving away his right to play for the Boks when extending his Racing deal?
– Revealed: How long Racing did not pay him for