Jimmy Stonehouse will coach the Pumas during their Currie Cup campaign after the departure of Brent Janse van Rensburg.

Stonehouse recently returned from a three-year stint in Japan to serve as the Pumas’ director of rugby, having coached the team between 2008 and 2015.

The union announced the news on Tuesday, saying that the agreement between itself and Janse van Rensburg was ‘amicable’.

‘We regret to be losing the use of Brent’s services,’ Pumas CEO Pieter Burger said. ‘He has made a big contribution towards the Pumas’ success and the improvements made thus far. He wishes to explore other opportunities regarding his future, which we respect.’

Janse van Rensburg, who coached the team to the Rugby Challenge title this year, did not say what his next move would be.

‘I thank the Pumas for the opportunity provided to me,’ he said. ‘The team is in a good space currently and the time is fitting now for me to consider other opportunities available to me and decide upon said in the near future,’ he told SARugbymag.co.za.

‘I have to explore what is best for my wife and I. It wasn’t an easy decision for us to leave the Pumas, but a lot of thought went into it. This is based on long-term considerations being primary to our thinking.’

‘There are a lot of systems that have been put in place with the team, continuity in the group, which they should take into the Currie Cup.

‘I certainly am excited and positive about the potential of this team, what they can achieve and also the potential of the union.’

The Pumas start their Currie Cup campaign at home against Griquas on 18 August.

Photo: Manus van Dyk/Gallo Images