Super Rugby
Coetzee commits to Stormers
ESPNscrum Staff
February 20, 2012
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee contemplates his side's clash with the Sharks, Stormers training session, High Performance Centre, Belville, Cape Town, South Africa, May 5, 2010
Allister Coetzee has agreed a new three-year deal with the Cape Town-based Stormers © Getty Images
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Head coach Allister Coetzee has handed the Stormers a timely boost on the eve of the new Super Rugby season by signing a new three-year deal with the Cape Town-based side.

Coetzee, whose side were beaten by the Bulls in the 2010 season finale and finished second on the Super Rugby standings last year, was linked with South Africa's head coach vacancy earlier this year before Heyneke Meyer's appointment to the Springboks' hotseat. He was more recently linked with a place in Meyer's backroom team but has reportedly turned down an offer to return to the international set-up where he served under former head coach Jake White.

Instead, Coetzee has opted to commit himself to domestic matters with his assistant coaches Robbie Fleck and Mathew Proudfoot, as well as to defence coach Jacques Nienaber and WP Vodacom Cup and U21 coach John Dobson also handed new deals. WP Rugby have also confirmed that a high performance manager, reporting directly to Coetzee, will be appointed shortly.

"Contrary to recent media reports our management team and athletes are a very happy and settled group," Coetzee said in a statement. "As a management team we were all eager to re-affirm our commitment to WP and hopefully this puts this matter to bed. The appointment of the High Performance Manager will streamline and simplify our contracting procedures, as well as handling all player and admin affairs, ensuring the coaches and athletes have complete freedom to focus solely on the game."

The Stormers kick off their latest assault on the Super Rugby crown against the Hurricanes in Cape Town on Saturday. "It's a big week for us and as a group our focus is on one thing and one thing only - our opener against the Hurricanes on Saturday," added Coetzee. "We are well prepared, very motivated and will be going all out to make this a big year."

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