The Canon Eagles have confirmed the departure of Allister Coetzee after his two-year stint as head coach.
Coetzee took up the position at the Japanese club after his sacking as Bok boss in 2018.
The Eagles finished 12th in the 16-team Top League competition in Coetzee’s first season in charge. Midway through his second season at the helm, the team sat in ninth spot when the 2019-20 campaign was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
On Monday, the Eagles released a statement via the club’s website that Coetzee as well as forwards coach Barend Pieterse, who also joined the management team in 2018, have both left the club.
A total of nine players have also severed ties with the Eagles, including South African duo Fred Zeilinga and Rynier Bernardo.
It is unclear whether Coetzee, Pieterse, Zeilinga and Bernardo were let go or whether they opted against contract extensions.
Former Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has left Canon Eagles. #rugbyjp pic.twitter.com/i5VtMO9Tih
— Rich Freeman (@FreemanrugbyJPN) April 27, 2020
Photo: Canon Eagles