When will the Stormers get a decent coach?

Whilst Steve Hansen created considerable misfortune to South Africa Rugby over the years, the coach who caused the most damage is Eddie Jones – with two knockout punches.

The first was an uppercut square on the chin, via his Japanese national team’s cleverly executed win over the Springboks.

It was the epochal event which effectively ended Heyneke Meyer’s coaching tenure. It also killed any chance of an orderly transition for the Springboks, leading to an unprecedentedly poor Springbok result against the Irish a month ago.

The second knockout punch, was more like a knee to the groin. Jones had already signed up to lead the transformation of the Stormers. Instead, he dumped them without sufficient notice to take up the England coaching role.

So, the Stormers were forced to promote the Robbie Fleck as chief mentor. It is a bit like promoting Robin to become Batman.

On the positive side, Fleck used the same approach as Michael Cheika’s emergency laws. With no time on the side of the Stormers, he made the most of the players he had on hand.

It looked good at first, starting with a big 24 point win against the Bulls in Round 1. But just like Cheika’s Wallabies, the cracks started to appear over time. The Stormers’ form descended horribly, culminating into a 12-all draw against the Sunwolves. Fleck was lucky not to lose that match. This was complemented by an away loss to the Lions and the Bulls, a home loss to the Waratahs.

In the ensuing four games, the Stormers results seemed convincing. But their opponents were not. They beat Cheetahs by a mere seven points at home. Then two more against other low rankers the Force, the Rebels and the Kings.

We have seen enough. Fleck needs the flick as head coach.

The Stormers have the best concentration of tight forwards in the Southern Hemisphere. Their inside centre’s ability to generate violent metres in tight quarters is rivaled only by a few players from Queensland (Samu Kerevi, Sean McMahon and Taniela Tupou). They have significant depth in the halves and backs. Their backrow options are diverse, versatile and effective.

Yet, they play stodgy set-piece based rugby like the Stephen Larkham Brumbies, which to-date is basically the leftovers from the Jake White Brumbies.

We then gaze north of Cape Town, a two hour flight to the ‘Jozi’ towns. The Lions are carving it up and playing like a sixth New Zealand team, with half the firepower of the Stormers.

The difference? Their coach – and the coach’s coach. Before the Lions resurgence, Johan Ackermann worked with ex-New Zealand head coach John Mitchell. The Antipodean techniques have clearly rubbed off on the old lock from old Transvaal.

If the Stormers used the latent talent in their possession, they would be a remarkable force to compete and complement the Lions in a South African resurgence.

So, which coach is going to make this happen?

Without a change, I think they will run out of steam next year, as other teams will start to play against them like the Lions did – or the Sunwolves.

The first coach that comes to mind is Robbie Deans, currently in Japan mentoring the Panasonic Wild Knights. Fully recovered from his Wallaby tenure, Deans has lead his team to three consecutive Japanese league wins. He is a winner and knows how to craft winners.

Unlike in Australia, Robbie Deans should be more readily accepted by South African players who are generally more cooperative and discerning – very much like New Zealand players.

Another that comes to mind is another New Zealander, Wayne Smith. He is is seemingly sick of coaching Kiwi teams and is taking a break. If there was anyone who would out-think and out-prepare any team in the world, this is probably the man. He is highly revered by all, in particular New Zealand’s best coaches and players.

It looks like Smith needs a new challenge, in a new place, and an opportunity to create a legacy. The Western Province may just be the right choice for him at this point.

Probably the only Australian I could look to, who could make a difference is Ewen McKenzie. As far as I understand, he would like to be as far away from Australia as possible. Staying in “CT” will fulfill that. In return, South Africa will be able to tap on one of the best Rugby minds alive.

The Stormers have more than sufficient speed and firepower to dominate the contact areas. “EM” will know exactly what attacking skills, tactics, selections and preparation is needed to torment then dismantle opponents’ will to win. It will be Reds 2.0 – with awesome forwards.

Are there any South African coaches that can lift the southern tip to the best possible form? Probably, but I don’t think the Lions are going to give him up so easily. But with sufficient inducements, Johan Ackermann can move.

I think however, it is better to add to the depth of coaching talent in South Africa. A migration by Ackermann, south to Cape Town would be a big step backwards for the game.

Ex-Springbok prop Dawie Theron, is South Africa’s most successful under 20s coach, which is due to the delivery of fearless, powerful yet fast-paced Rugby. He was also the man behind the resurgence of Griquas Rugby. However, he has departed to Japan to lead the Docomo Reds Hurricanes.

I could also add Todd Blackadder to the list. But I will not, as I am assuming (i.e. hoping) he will be with the Reds next year. Another is the South African nemesis Joe Schmidt, who might be free soon. But he might end up in New Zealand instead.

Whoever the new coach is, the change should happen next year. This gives them, and their alumni coach, Allister Coetzee and Johan Ackermann a powerful platform for a revenge campaign in “Japan 2019”

Who do you think is the right person to lead the Stormers and Western Province?