Allister Coetzee

Stormers and Western Province coach Allister Coetzee is in high demand to coach in the Japanese league, according to reports.

Coetzee, who still has one year left on his contract with WP, is believed to be a strong candidate to replace Gary Gold as coach of the Kobe Kobelco Steelers in Japan. Gold is set to leave the Steelers to take up the role of Sharks Director of Rugby.

Meanwhile, WP’s Vodacom Cup and Under 21 coach, John Dobson, is also believed to be on the wish list of the EP Kings, while there is also interest in Dobson’s backline coach, Dawie Snyman.

Gert Smal, WP’s Director of Rugby, said they would like to keep all current coaches at the union for the next three years and are busy with negotiations.

Sport24

“We’re looking at a structure in which we can stimulate the coaches to enhance their development. I’d like to have the negotiations sorted by the end of the month,” said Smal.

“We can’t control the fact that there is outside interest in them. (But) we’d like to create an environment where they feel they can develop. They must also want to be at WP. If it’s merely about money, then it’s another story.”

Coetzee, who coached WP to two Currie Cup titles in the last three years, will coach the Stormers in this year’s Super Rugby competition.

They start their campaign away to the Bulls in Pretoria on 14 February.