Dave Wessels backed by Rassie, leaves WP role to be SA Rugby's general manager

SA Rugby confirmed on Saturday that former Super Rugby coach Dave Wessels has been appointed to a new General Manager for High Performance role at the organisation.

Wessels has subsequently stepped down from his previous role as head of rugby at Western Province Rugby and the Stormers.

The 41-year-old, who has coached Western Force and the Melbourne Rebels, will start his new job immediately.

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Wessels' appointment continues a string of changes of the rugby department at SA Rugby, which began with Rassie Erasmus returning as national head coach.

Erasmus will now be helped by Charles Wessels (no relation) to focus "entirely on Springbok affairs", with the latter's previous role as GM: Rugby discontinued.

"We are undertaking a review of all rugby activities and ensuring the structure is best purposed to meet the needs of our national teams," said the CEO of SA Rugby, Rian Oberholzer, in a statement.

"These changes begin the process of providing better support for all our national teams and further changes are being considered.

"The appointment of Dave Wessels achieves two objectives - it allows Rassie and Charles Wessels to focus solely on the national team while creating a resource that can provide greater direction and support to our other national teams.

"In particular, it will allow for greater emphasis on the strategic needs and future plans of our sevens, women's and junior national teams whose requirements will now receive singular attention."

Back in 2008, Wessels started his coaching career under the then-WP head coach Erasmus when he was appointed as defence consultant at the Stormers and Western Province.

Wessels then served