Australia's Western Force appoint South African Wessels as the head coach

Former Stormers technical analyst and University of Cape Town assistant coach Dave Wessels has been appointed as head coach of Super Rugby’s Western Force for the next two years.

The 33-year-old took over as the Force's interim head coach for the final three matches of the 2016 campaign after Michael Foley agreed to step down.

Wessels will become the youngest senior coach in the history of the tournament.

"This opportunity is an amazing privilege‚" Wessels said.

"Not only because I love the game of rugby but also because I am so passionate about the Western Force and the people of Perth.

"What we want to do going forward is develop a fantastic learning environment that people want to be a part of and that embraces the unique pioneering spirit that Western Australians will be proud of."

Wessels was an Internet entrepreneur and rugby enthusiast before moving into coaching on a fulltime basis in 2008.

He worked with the Ikey Tigers when they won the Varsity Cup in 2011 and was seconded to the Stormers as a back room analyst at the same time.

But a move to Canberra to be a defensive consultant with the Brumbies started a rapid rise in the game.

In 2012‚ under Wessels’ tutoring‚ the Brumbies had the second best defensive record in the competition.

He then moved to Perth in 2013 where he teamed up with his former Ikeys head coach Kevin Foote.

For the past three seasons he has been the Force’s defensive coach and although they struggled in 2016‚ their 2015 and 2014 defensive form - with no star players – was widely admired.

Foley‚ in an interview with Times Media last season‚ heaped praise of Wessels.

“Dave Wessels is the best defence coach in the competition‚” Foley said.

“Every week we have a plan for the game and he works on that with the boys to make sure they understand it and are capable of executing it.

“I believe that they (Wessels and Foote) have been vital to Force organisation because they are coaches in the true sense of the word.

"They love working with players and upskilling them.”

RugbyWA chief and Force general manager Mark Sinderberry said Wessels was the right man for the club's future.

"The panel reviewed a number of strong candidates‚ but it was decided that Dave (Wessels) was the right man to take this club forward‚" he said.

“Firstly‚ he is a man that holds dearly the values of the game of rugby‚ which is critical to allow the club to move forward‚ to fully embrace our rugby community and our passionate fan base.

“Secondly we want to be known as a club where players develop and ultimately become better rugby players and better people‚ and we need a program to do so‚ which is where Dave excelled in the interview process.

“He has the full support of the playing group and has already developed strong relationships on which he can now build.

“What stands out most though is Dave’s passion for the game of Rugby and this club.

"The fact that he had offers from other Super Rugby franchises‚ but decided to put his heart and soul into this job speaks volumes about the character and drive he possesses.” - TMG Digital