Western Province’s director of Rugby Gert Smal is set to vacate his post by July 1 as the management turmoil embroiling the Newlands-based rugby union starts to bleed casualties.
And former Blitzboks coach Paul Treu has won his right to stay on at the union. He will be deployed with immediate effect in a new role.
Rapport reported over the weekend that both these aspects had been confirmed in the past week, with WP president Zelt Marais insisting on sitting in meetings where Treu’s role was discussed with chief executive Paul Zacks.
Smal, whose tenure finishes at the end of October, is reportedly fed up with the infighting and has asked to leave his post earlier.
He is expected to join former Springbok coach Jake White in a coaching role in Japan.
Treu has set off on his first international trip to Manchester in his new role, while the final title needs to be finalised.
For now, he is being referred to as a special projects manager, with his role to be confirmed when he returns from overseas.
Rapport also reported that the move isn’t likely to please players, who recently told management they didn’t want Treu anywhere near the team.
However, Marais has put his foot down to ensure he stayed. Treu has turned down an exit package.
Against this background, the newspaper reports that John Dobson is set to take over the Stormers coaching role from Robbie Fleck at the end of the season.
Former Bok and WP star Toks van der Linde will also meet with Marais today to address the players’ concerns.