Publications
Partners
Cape Town - All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is being heavily linked with a move to Japanese outfit Toyota Verblitz following the completion of this year's Rugby World Cup.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Hansen is being lined up to become director of rugby at the club, which is currently coached by former Springbok coach Jake White.
White is set to leave the club, despite confirmation current Stormers director of rugby Gert Smal will be joining the club later this year.
All Black captain Kieran Read has already confirmed that he will be joining Verblitz after the World Cup, which will be hosted in Japan from September.
Waratahs forwards coach Simon Cron, meanwhile, is being tipped as the man to replace White as head coach of the club once Hansen arrives.
Verblitz also confirmed the signing of Springbok fullback Willie le Roux from English club Wasps.
The 29-year-old Springbok fullback will also be joining the club following the completion of this year's World Cup.
Le Roux will join a host of fellow South Africans who currently ply their trade under White, including Reniel Hugo, Jason Jenkins, Carl Wegner, Lionel Cronjé, Clinton Swart and Gio Aplon.
Hansen has been in charge of the All Blacks since 2012 and he guided them to World Cup glory in France in 2015.
New Zealand will once again enter this year's tournament as favourites.
Warren Gatland, John Plumtree and Scott Robertson are some of the names that have been come up when discussing a possible replacement for Hansen.
