Toyota Verblitz have confirmed that Western Province's director of rugby, Gert Smal, will be joining the Japanese club as a forwards coach ahead of the 2019-20 season.
It's been a tumultuous time at the Western Province Rugby Union of late, with financial troubles and political infighting leading to plenty of uncertainty at WP and the Stormers.
In many respects, Smal has been caught in the middle of the drama, with reports suggesting that his influence has been curtailed ever since his move to appoint John Mitchell as Stormers coach was scuppered in 2016.
More recently, rumours began to do the rounds to suggest that controversial figure, Paul Treu, was being championed by certain factions in WP Rugby to take over from Smal. Last year, Treu submitted a lengthy document detailing grievances over the manner in which he had been treated as a Stormers assistant coach.
Whatever the case may be, Smal has now taken the decision to part ways with WP and the Stormers, with Toyota Verblitz announcing on Monday that he would be linking up with the Japanese Top 14 club.
Smal’s term as Western Province director of rugby comes to an end in October, but it is believed he will leave for Japan before the middle of the year.
Besides confirming Smal's move, Verblitz also announced that Bok fullback Willie le Roux would be joining the side after ending his time with English club Wasps.
Former Bok World Cup-winning coach Jake White is in charge at Toyota Verblitz, and many South African players are on their player roster.
African News Agency