Eddie Jones' contract with Japan expires after the Rugby World Cup © Getty Images

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Eddie Jones is in line to coach the Stormers in 2016, with Allister Coetzee announcing his departure for Japan at the end of the 2015 campaign.

Coetzee, 51, will join Japanese Top League club Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers, having decided to put pen to paper this week. He will replace Sharks-bound Gary Gold, who finished his contract with the Steelers last week.

"I've had eight fantastic years at Western Province Rugby and would like to thank my fellow coaches, players, the leadership of WP Rugby and, of course, the supporters here in Cape Town and across the country," Coetzee said on the Stormers website. "My family and I have always been made to feel very welcome in Cape Town, but we have now been presented with a great opportunity and some exciting times await us in a very new and different environment.

"I will miss the Stormers and some great people that I have come into contact with here, but we still have a very long and challenging Super Rugby campaign ahead of us and that is my only focus at present - as it has been during our pre-season build-up.

Jones currently coaches Japan but his contract with the Cherry Blossoms ends after the Rugby World Cup in England, and the Cape Town-based Cape Times has reported the former Brumbies and Australia coach met officials of the Super Rugby franchise in South Africa last week.

Jones coached the Brumbies to win the 2001 Super Rugby title and the Wallabies reached the 2003 Rugby World Cup on home soil under his tenure, but he is held in high regard in South Africa most notably for his role as a technical consultant to Jake White as the Springboks won the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France. The Australian was credited for developing a much more potent Springboks backline for that tournament.

Jone was subsequently appointed director of rugby at London-based Aviva Premiership club Saracens, and then head coach of leading Japanese Top League club Suntory Sungoliath. He was appointed Japan head coach in 2011, replacing John Kirwan, and he led the team to a 24-9 win-loss record, including an 11-match undefeated streak against international opposition that featured victories over Samoa and Italy. Japan, under Jones, also claimed a first victory over Six Nations opposition when they stunned Wales in June 2013.