Stormers coach Allister Coetzee will leave the South African Super Rugby side at the end of the season to take up a coaching post with Japanese team Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers.

Western Province director of rugby Gert Smal said Tuesday they had unsuccessfully tried to persuade Coetzee to sign a new contract.

The Stormers open their Super Rugby campaign against the Bulls in Pretoria on February 14.

After losing the Super 14 final to the Bulls in 2010, Coetzee coached the Stormers to successive South African conference titles in the extended Super 15 in 2011 and 2012. In the latter tournament the team also topped the overall standings, the only South African side to achieve that feat.