Cape Town – In what quickly could become the worst kept secret in South African rugby, Western Province rugby may seem to be preparing itself for a minor renaissance as a result.

Allister Coetzee is widely regarded to pip all-comers and fill the Springbok coaching job left vacant by Peter de Villiers, but he has not stipulated whether he will apply for the job or not, only confirming that he is still contracted to Western Province rugby till the end of the 2012 season.

Likewise, Rassie Erasmus recently declined taking a direct coaching role within the Springbok team, thus leaving the door open to suggestion that he is still available for any other role within SARU, should they come knocking.

It was recently reported that Erasmus would instead fill the new post created by SARU as their director of rugby, but it is unclear what the role would entail or if it is anything like Erasmus’s current position at Western Province rugby.

According to reports in Thursday’s Cape Times, a source at SARU revealed that Coetzee is indeed being lined up and seen as the prime candidate to become the next coach of the two-time rugby World Cup winning team.

“At this moment, Allister is still the number-one choice to be the Springbok coach, said the Cape Times source.

“Rassie is probably going to be the director of rugby, although we haven’t finalised anything yet.”

If that statement is anything to go by, then it would give Province yet another headache as they would have to fork out more cash in an effort to bring a reputable name to the spiritual home of South African rugby.

Outgoing Springbok assistant coach, Gary Gold is believed to be earmarked for a return to Cape Town after coaching the Western Province team in 2007 before being appointed in his current position.

The Cape Times further suggests that former London Irish Head coach would probably assume the role left vacant by Erasmus, leaving the way for either Matthew Proudfoot or John Dobson, coaches currently contracted to the WPRU.

However, WPRU president, Toby Titus has dismissed these suggestions.

“I want to hear who has applied for the Bok job and if anyone has been approached by Saru.

“I will find that out in Friday’s Saru President’s Forum meeting in Johannesburg. We have not spoken about our coaches.”