Cape Town - Western Province Director of Rugby Gert Smal says he tried his best to keep the services of Allister Coetzee at the union.
This follows the announcement that Coetzee will leave WP and the Stormers after this year's Super Rugby competition to coach the Kobelco Steelers in Japan.
Coetzee, 51, is for now lost to South African rugby but Smal indicated that he should return to take up the top rugby job in the country.
"When I was appointed as Director of Rugby at WP, I said the following in my first meeting in front of all the coaches: 'Toetie, you have my full support and I'd really like to see you become the next Bok coach'," Smal told Netwerk24 on Tuesday.
"He is a fantastic coach. I tried really hard to convince him to stay, but we simply can't compete with the yen, euro and pound. I can't say how sad I am."
WP named John Dobson as their new Currie Cup coach but the 2016 Super Rugby coach is yet to be announced.
However, media reports have linked former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones with the role.
This follows the announcement that Coetzee will leave WP and the Stormers after this year's Super Rugby competition to coach the Kobelco Steelers in Japan.
Coetzee, 51, is for now lost to South African rugby but Smal indicated that he should return to take up the top rugby job in the country.
"When I was appointed as Director of Rugby at WP, I said the following in my first meeting in front of all the coaches: 'Toetie, you have my full support and I'd really like to see you become the next Bok coach'," Smal told Netwerk24 on Tuesday.
"He is a fantastic coach. I tried really hard to convince him to stay, but we simply can't compete with the yen, euro and pound. I can't say how sad I am."
WP named John Dobson as their new Currie Cup coach but the 2016 Super Rugby coach is yet to be announced.
However, media reports have linked former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones with the role.