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Cape Town - Confusion reigns again at Newlands.
This time it's not over the coaching future of Eddie Jones - that matter was wrapped up last week as the franchise's major off-season signing packed his bags and left Cape Town - and "Table Top Mountain" - for greener, and muddier, pastures in England.
But on Monday there was renewed uncertainty at Stormers HQ.
Director of rugby Gert Smal had said last Friday that Jones would return to Cape Town in December to help with pre-season preparations.
It was, after all, the least Jones could do after crushing Cape Town hearts, and the word from Smal was that Jones' help would come free of charge because he "feels really bad" about the whole situation.
Well, it seems that Jones has sold the Stormers another dummy after he denied any return to Cape Town over December at his first press conference as England coach later that same day.
"I’m not going back to South Africa, mate. I’ve agreed to do something for World Rugby in Los Angeles next week," Jones was quoted as saying in Rapport.
"When that is finished, I’ll be going back to Tokyo to greet my wife and advise her to pack her rain jacket. I’ll be back in England on December 1, ready to start."
The response from the Stormers when contacted for comment on Monday by Sport24 was brief, refusing to confirm or deny that they had lost the services of Jones for December or clarify Smal's comments.
"From our point of view, the Eddie Jones matter is closed," Western Province strategic communications manager Howard Kahn said.
"We cannot keep reacting to stories, we need to concentrate on moving forward."
By Friday last week, the Stormers said they had between four and six approaches for the now vacant Super Rugby coaching post.
Smal, with the help of Robbie Fleck, will facilitate pre-season until a new coach is named.
