CAPE TOWN – The Ospreys' attempts to secure the services of Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck appear to have stalled.
Towards the end of February, it was reported that the Ospreys had held talks with Fleck over their vacant head coach role, but the Stormers quickly moved to squash the rumours.
"Stormers head coach Robbie Fleck is currently in the second year of a three-year contract, which runs until the end of the 2019 season," read the Stormers statement.
"Fleck has been approached by various clubs in the United Kingdom, but remains under contract with the Stormers."
With the Stormers determined to hold onto Fleck, the Ospreys are said to be less inclined to buy him out of his contract.
Although the Ospreys have not completely abandoned hope of tempting Fleck to Wales, they are now believed to have expanded their search to various part of world rugby.
WalesOnline reports that with outgoing coach Steve Tandy set to move on, Ospreys have received more than 50 expressions of interest or formal applications for the job.
It now remains to be seen whether Ospreys will continue to pursue Fleck, or decide to head in another direction.
On Friday, Fleck saw his Stormers side slip to a third successive defeat overseas, which has quickly thrown their Super Rugby campaign into turmoil.