Allister Coetzee’s return to Eastern Province marks the completion of a nostalgic cycle for the former Springbok and DHL Stormers boss.
Following his exit as Namibia head coach, Coetzee – who began his rugby journey with EP as a player and later a coach – has signed a three-year contract with an option for a fourth.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be back,” Coetzee told Sunday newspaper Rapport. “I’m glad I get the opportunity to turn the union back into a high-performance environment.
“We have to strengthen Nelson Mandela University to compete in the Varsity Cup and ensure the clubs are robust. There needs to be good alignment between all of us, including schools.”
Coetzee envisions bringing EP back to the Currie Cup Premier Division, leveraging the region’s rich talent base. “The Eastern Cape is the conveyor belt of black players. It’s time we became the factory owners of these players,” he stated.
He anticipates it may take a season or two to reach the Premier Division but acknowledges the financial constraints. “EP’s player budget is small, so the player depth isn’t that good.
“I’m going to look at getting EP players who are playing at a higher level elsewhere back home,” Coetzee said,
Coetzee sees an equity partnership as essential to success: “The EP management supports an equity partner, like Boland has. That’s the right direction. There is talent here, and I want to give them the necessary opportunity.”
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