Future of Bok coach uncertain

Saru confirmed in an e-mail that no announcements on the Springbok coaching job would be made until after its general council meeting in December. The council appoints the coach.

The Dispatch could not officially confirm information from two sources that Meyer had been offered a new four-year contract before the World Cup. Meyer himself evaded the question in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s 20-18 World Cup semifinal loss to the All Blacks.

“The only thing I’m worried about is getting my team back on track and any talk about contracts must be directed to the South African Rugby Union,” Meyer said.

Saturday’s defeat was Meyer’s seventh loss in eight Tests as coach against the reigning world champions. The Boks’ only victory over the All Blacks in the past four years was a last-gasp 27-25 win in 2014.

It’s not just about results against the All Blacks though, although they are the standard bearers for the sport and are therefore the yardstick to be measured against.

Meyer’s tenure has yielded no silverware with four failures in the Rugby Championship and elimination from the World Cup at the semifinal stage.

Losing to the All Blacks in the last four of a World Cup is not in itself grounds for dismissal, as they have set the bar so high that only a comprehensive plan at provincial level will keep SA in touch with them.

But Meyer’s record also includes losses to Wales for only the second time in SA’s history, a first ever loss to Argentina (who have improved dramatically) and of course that infamous loss to Japan in the opening weekend of the World Cup.

But even so, are isolated losses any more grounds for dismissal than isolated wins are grounds for staying in the job? In 2013 the Boks scored a record 38-12 win over Australia in Brisbane. Under Meyer they twice beat England at Twickenham and also scored a first away win over France for 11 years.

Meyer has a 66% winning ratio, which is better than predecessor Peter de Villiers (62.5%) and only marginally worse than Jake White’s (66.7%). Over the course of history the Boks have won 64% of all their matches, so he is slightly above average. But is slightly above average what Springbok rugby wants?

Meyer has also given opportunities to talented youngsters despite the image that he relied too much on older players. Centres Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende and Jan Serfontein, locks Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth, tighthead Frans Malherbe, fullback Willie le Roux and flyhalf Handré Pollard have all been allowed to grow at Test level.

But Meyer’s transformation record is poor with only four black players in the match 23 last Saturday. With a transformation target set by Saru of 50% black player representation by 2019, it’s difficult to see Meyer as a man who can drive that agenda.

Of course, the transformation debate is far more complex and will require – no, demand – that provincial unions do more so that Meyer, or the next Bok coach, will have more black players to choose from.

Perhaps the biggest criticism that Meyer faces, though, is that the team failed to grow in terms of its gameplan. By the knockout stages of the World Cup the Boks did little more than defend and send one-off runners into contact.

Their tactical kicking game and ability to finish was generally poor and even if Meyer stays on, there has to be a review of his coaching staff. Are those tasked with improving the necessary skills good enough? Do they challenge Meyer and the players? On the evidence of the past four years the answer is obvious.

There have been times when the Boks have looked dangerous and there was growth in 2013 before a general return to type in the next two years as the pressure and demand to win at all costs saw Meyer gradually abandon his journey towards a more skilled team.