Crusaders coach Robbie Deans, in the last year of his contract with the Super 14 franchise, has reportedly had a meeting with Stormers rugby bosses in South Africa.
Western Province director of rugby Nick Mallet confirmed he had had "informal contact" with Deans, South African newspaper Cape Timessaid today.
"I have had informal contact with Robbie Deans for the purposes of finding out what his current contract commitments are," Mallett said.
"What he said to me will remain confidential until I give the information to the Stormers board."
Deans is the most successful coach in Super rugby, having masterminded the Crusaders' four title-winning campaigns -- including last year's. During his seven years in charge, the team have failed to make the final only once. They also won the competition twice while he was team manager from 1997 to 1999.
Deans has refused to comment on the report.
A Crusaders spokesperson said Deans has not commented publicly about approaches in the past and he is not about to now.
Mallett and Stormers chief executive Rob Wagner are due to report to the Stormers board before March 17.
Kobus van der Merwe's contract as Western Province and Stormers coach expires at the end of this season.
Deans is not the only foreign coach in Mallett's sights. David Nucifora, who was Mallett's first choice last season, finishes his contract with the Blues at the end of this year.
However, Mallett feels that Nucifora's success with the Blues in the early stages of this Super 14, coupled with the fact that he has a young family that has been settling in at Auckland, could count against the former Brumbies mentor making the move.
"I want to consider all options for next year, including of course Kobus himself. I have been in this game for long enough to know how quickly things can change, and the Stormers victory last weekend could be the beginning of a dramatic turn-around," Mallett said.
"But the bottom line is that we want a team that wins, and wins consistently. We have to make a decision with that goal in mind."
