Eddie Jones has been offered a multi-year contract to become the new Stormers coach from 2016.
According to the Cape Times, the former Wallabies coach and Springbok technical adviser, who is currently coaching Japan, met with WP Rugby when he was in Cape Town last week and negotiations are ongoing.
Jones would replace Allister Coetzee, who on Monday told his players that he would be joining the Kobelco Steelers in Japan after this year's Vodacom Super Rugby tournament.
WP Rugby on Tuesday confirmed Coetzee's departure.
'We tried our best to keep Allister,' said WP director of rugby Gert Smal. 'Not only is he a fantastic coach but we have a great relationship – on and off the field. I am very sad to be losing him, but I can understand that he is seeking a new challenge – something which is close to my heart as I believe in empowering and constantly challenging coaches.'
Coetzee said: 'I have always said that I would make an announcement once I had made a decision about my future and my decision has now been made and communicated properly. I will miss the Stormers and some great people that I have come into contact with here. But we still have a very long and challenging Super Rugby campaign ahead of us and that's my only focus at present as it has been during our pre-season buildup.'
WP Rugby also announced the appointment of WP Vodacom Cup and U21 head coach John Dobson as head coach of the Currie Cup team, with Dawie Snyman as his assistant.
Senior forwards coach Matt Proudfoot and senior backline coach Robbie Fleck will continue in their respective roles with the Stormers at Super Rugby level but director of rugby Gert Smal will be utilising them elsewhere during the 2015 Currie Cup.
Proudfoot will head up a new project at WP Rugby, the self-explained ‘Tight Five Factory’, while Fleck will become the WP U21 head coach in the second half of the season – all aimed at player development and, importantly, keeping the senior professional coaches fresh and allowing them to develop their own skills too in a different coaching environment.
'John Dobson and Dawie Snyman have both impressed me with their vision and, of course, their records speak for themselves – having won three trophies in five seasons and produced countless players who have moved into our Super Rugby and Currie Cup teams,' said Smal. 'It was always my intention to give John and Dawie an opportunity at a higher level this season and I am positive that they will reward my faith in them and continue their progression as talented coaches.
'At the same time, Matt and Fleckie can spread their specialised knowledge from the bottom up – and thereby get a first-hand experience of our young talent within the union – and also develop their coaching in a new environment.
'Over the last few months we have now integrated the likes of Paul Treu, Hanyani Shimange and Rito Hlungwani into our coaching set-ups, plus we are able to use Allister Coetzee, Robbie Fleck and Matt Proudfoot in new, wider roles in the latter half of the season and, of course, [we are] set to give the likes of John and Dawie a deserved opportunity at a higher level.
'It’s an exciting time for all of our coaches, who will continue to be stimulated throughout the year, but with all of this news [and movement] now confirmed we can move into the 2015 Super Rugby season without any off-field distractions and concentrate on the job at hand.'
Photo: Adam Pretty/Getty Images
