Coetzee : Stormers will need lots of new talent

Japan bound former Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has told the Western Cape Super Rugby franchise that they will need to buy in new players to remain competitive next season.

Coetzee has accepted a position to coach Japanese club, Kobe Kobelco Steelers and will leave Cape Town shortly but before departing he gave the Cape side a few pointers on where they should be looking to fill gaps.

The Stormers won the South African Super Rugby conference for the third time this year but were knocked out by the Brumbies in the qualifying round.

Coetzee says that if the Stormers want to be successful in 2016 they will need to add a number of new recruits.

“Steven Kitshoff was superb as loosehead prop, but he’s leaving us (Bordeaux, France). Next year, the Stormers can’t call on a younger player’s services in his absence. We need a senior loosehead,” Coetzee told Netwerk24.

“Manuel Carizza is leaving Western Province, which means there is a void at No 5 lock. Ruan Botha is the only one remaining.”

Coetzee said that the loss of Duane Vermeulen (Toulon, France) and Michael Rhodes (Saracens, England) means that they need to sign a new loose forward.

“Preferably, it should be someone that plays to the ball, like Heinrich Brussow or Marcell Coetzee.”

The 52-year-old also said that they will need a replacement for flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis who has signed with Montpellier in France and that signing new wingers will need to be a top priority.

“We kicked the season off without a specialist left wing so I opted for Dillyn (Leyds). You can’t persist with so little physical presence in your back three. “

“You face guys like Julian Savea, Waisake Naholo and Nemani Nadolo. It’s frightening. WP have Kobus van Wyk, but need to sign two more wings.”