It’s official: Gert Smal is leaving Western Province for Japan.
The current director of rugby at Newlands will be heading for the Far East later this year to be the assistant coach to his former Springbok colleague Jake White.
The clear-out continues as head coach Robbie Fleck’s contract will not be renewed at the end of the Super Rugby campaign.
WP Currie Cup coach John Dobson is set to take over at the Stormers.
Dobson is already one of the assistant coaches at the franchise and will look to bring in a fresh approach at the Stormers following years of under-achievement and a predictable style of play.
IN: John Dobson will replace Robbie Fleck. PHOTO: BACKPAGEPIX.
Japanese club Toyota Verblitz announced on Monday that Smal - who was White’s assistant coach when the Boks won the 2007 World Cup - will be joined by another South African, Bok fullback Willie le Roux, at the club.
Le Roux will be bidding farewell to English side Wasps at the end of the Premiership season and will join Verblitz after the Rugby World Cup, which ends on November 2.
Apart from White making them feel at home, Smal and Le Roux will be welcomed by other South Africans in Gio Aplon, Lionel Cronjé, Reniel Hugo and Clinton Swart.
OUT: John Dobson will replace Robbie Fleck. PHOTO: BACKPAGEPIX.
Smal’s departure from WP Rugby was believed to be from July 1, but recent media reports indicate it could be even earlier than that, as new president Zelt Marais begins the much-needed clean-out at Newlands in the hope of making the Stormers title contenders again.
Smal, who is also a former Ireland forwards coach, began his tenure as director of rugby on 1 April 1 2014, during which WP reached four Currie Cup finals and won two, and the Stormers’ highest finish being two Super Rugby quarterfinals.