WP Rugby has informed its players that it is not planning to replace director of rugby Gert Smal with either Paul Treu or Peter de Villiers.
According to Netwerk24, the senior players, who are part of the MyPlayers organisation, were also told during last week’s meeting with WP Rugby bosses that neither Treu nor De Villiers will be involved with the Stormers next year.
WPRFU president Zelt Marais reportedly wanted Treu to replace Smal as director of rugby when the latter’s contract expires in October (Marais has since denied the allegation). The Stormers players and WP Rugby – the professional arm of the union – were against the prospective appointment. Marais was also reportedly keen to get De Villiers, the former Bok coach, on board at the union.
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Smal, who has been linked with a move to Jake White’s Toyota Verblitz, still has a big role to play at Province, especially regarding contract negotiations, as a number of players are looking to move overseas after the World Cup.
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