Cape Town - Australian Eddie Jones will be unveiled as the new Stormers coach next week.
Jones is set to become the highest-paid rugby coach in South Africa. His two-year contract is believed to be worth about R5 million a year.
The Cape Times has learnt that the former Wallabies coach will replace Allister Coetzee, who has moved on to coach Kobelco Steelers in Japan after guiding the Stormers to the Super Rugby playoffs in June.
Backline coach Robbie Fleck will continue in his role, while new Western Province head coach John Dobson is likely to serve as another assistant. Forwards coach Matt Proudfoot has joined Coetzee in Japan.
It seems that Jones will continue in his role as coach of the Japanese national team. This, though, could be an issue, as it probably would have been ideal for the next Stormers coach to be a lot more hands-on during the times when Super Rugby is not played.
Jones has never coached in South Africa before and while he has experience of working with the Springboks as a consultant in 2007, he will need to adapt to the demands of coaching in the Cape because of the union’s diverse fan base and media scrutiny.
However, there is no denying his credentials as a world-class coach and as a man who thinks outside the proverbial box as a tactician.
Earlier this year WP director of rugby Gert Smal said he wanted a coach with Super Rugby and/or international experience. Jones has both and also fits the profile of a man who believes in an exciting brand of rugby – also one of Smal’s requirements.
Jones is no stranger to Super Rugby. He guided the Brumbies to the title in 2001. He was also in charge of the Australian national team at the 2003 World Cup on home soil.
No Stormers coach has won the coveted Super Rugby title.
Cape Times