Former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has confirmed he’s in talks with South African Super Rugby franchise the Stormers, but has denied having already signed with them.

Jones, who is in the final year of his contract with Japan, denied reports in South Africa this week he’d locked in a two-year deal with the Cape Town-based Stormers.

“I am chatting with (the Stormers) but that’s the extent of it,” the 55-year-old Jones told Japan’s Kyodo News.

“I am off contract in 2015 and I’m looking at my options.

“Players and coaches sign contracts and do everything they can until the contract comes to an end. But you need to look elsewhere when your contract is coming to an end. That’s professional rugby.”

Jones’ comments come after The Cape Times reported he would be unveiled as the Stormers coach next week.

It was believed Jones was keen to remain at the helm of Japan which will host the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

He had been tipped to continue coaching the national side and the new Japanese Super Rugby franchise which comes in from the 2016 season.

The Stormers are on the lookout for a new coach after Allister Coetzee joined Japanese Top League team Kobe Kobelco Steelers.

Coetzee’s Stormers lost to the Brumbies in the Super Rugby semi-finals this season.

Jones coached the Brumbies to the Super Rugby title in 2001 before going on to coach Australia from 2001-05.

He then joined Saracens in England as a consultant before linking with the Queensland Reds for the 2007 Super Rugby season.

The Reds finished last, winning just two games and Jones stepped down as coach before he became an assistant to South African coach Jake White who steered the Springboks to the 2007 Rugby World Cup.