Johannesburg - Long-serving Stormers and Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has chosen not to extend his contract at Western Province Rugby and will, instead, take up an opportunity abroad at the end of this year.
Coetzee, 51, will join Japanese club, Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers, having decided to put pen to paper this week.
“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,” Coetzee said on the official Stormers website.
“I've had eight fantastic years at Western Province Rugby and would like to thank my fellow coaches, players, the leadership of WP Rugby and, of course, the supporters here in Cape Town and across the country.
“My family and I have always been made to feel very welcome in Cape Town, but we have now been presented with a great opportunity and some exciting times await us in a very new and different environment.”
Coetzee has been head coach of Province since 2008 and the Stormers since 2010.
Under his guidance the Stormers have become one of the most consistent Super Rugby teams on the circuit.
After losing the Super 14 final to the Bulls in Soweto in 2010, Coetzee then coached the Stormers to successive South African Conference titles in the extended Super 15 in 2011 and 2012, the latter tournament seeing the team also top the overall log.
Meanwhile, at Currie Cup level, Western Province have won two titles under Coetzee's leadership - in 2012 and 2014 - having, in total, contested four finals in the past five seasons, with two of those finals being at home and in succession.
Province director of rugby Gert Smal said they had tried to retain Coetzee's services.
“Not only is he a fantastic coach but we have a great relationship - on and off the field,” Smal said.
“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's final release date has not been confirmed as yet (he will at least see out the 2015 Super Rugby season), but Smal has also announced that there would be a change in the management group of the Currie Cup team.
Senior forwards coach Matt Proudfoot and senior backline coach Robbie Fleck, Coetzee's long-time assistant coaches, will continue in their respective roles with the Stormers but Smal will be utilising them elsewhere during the 2015 Currie Cup season.
John Dobson (head coach) and Dawie Snyman (backline coach) will be promoted to Currie Cup level after five successful seasons in charge of both the WP Under-21 and Vodacom Cup sides
“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 (and beyond),” Smal said.
“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.
“Over the last few months we have now integrated the likes of Paul Treu, Hanyani Shimange and Rito Hlungwani into our coaching set-ups.”
The Stormers will open their 2015 Super Rugby campaign against the Bulls in Pretoria on February 14.
Their first home game will be against the Blues at Newlands the following Saturday.
Sapa