Cape Town - Allister Coetzee will remain at the helm of Western Province during the Currie Cup.
Gert Smal’s appointment as WP director of rugby in April coincided with reports that current WP under-21 coach, John Dobson, would take over the reins of the senior side when the domestic tournament kicked off in August.
Those reports were not denied by Province.
Smal and WP president Thelo Wakefield seemed to sit on the fence on Sunday, denying that a decision had been taken in favour of either candidate.
However, sources with insight into developments in the Province camp have confirmed that the status quo will remain.
It is believed that the retention of Coetzee in his role as Currie Cup head coach is based on a transformation imperative in the aftermath of Dr Arthur Williams’ demotion from the Stormers’ management team - the latter was replaced by Dr Jason Suter prior to the 33-0 win against the Cheetahs at Newlands on May 24.
“It’s not a demotion,” Wakefield said of Williams. “It’s a restructuring. Dr Williams is very happy at Western Province.”
In what may be related news, promising lock Tazz Fuzani is believed to be considering a move from Province to join the Eastern Province Kings at the end of the year.
Coetzee was in charge when Province ended an 11-year wait for a Currie Cup title, beating the Sharks in the 2012 final at King’s Park.
He was also in the coaching booth for last year’s final when the Sharks returned the favour by handing Province an emphatic 33-19 loss at Newlands.
Coetzee, who has won 29 of 46 Super Rugby games since 2012, will be back at Newlands on July 5 when the Bulls stomp into Cape Town to take on the 11th-placed Stormers, and for the season-finale against the log-leading Sharks a week later.
Cape Argus