Former Springbok coach Coetzee leaves Japanese club

Former Springbok mentor Allister Coetzee has left his role as head coach of the Canon Eagles in Japan.

The news was confirmed by the Canon Eagles on their official website on Monday.

The statement added that forwards coach Barend Pieterse, who also joined the management team in 2018, has also left.

"Thank you for your continued support of Canon Eagles," the club statement read.

Coetzee joined the club in 2018 after being sacked as Springbok head coach.

Under his tutelage, the Eagles finished 12th in the 16-team Top League in 2018/19 and were ninth when the current season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coetzee coached the Springboks in the 2016 and 2017 seasons and before that he was head coach of the Stormers between 2010 and 2015.

Meanwhile, the Eagles also confirmed the departure of nine players, including South African flyhalf Fred Zeilinga and lock Rynier Bernardo.

- Compiled by Herman Mostert