The identity of the next Springbok coach will not immediately be revealed after today’s SA Rugby general council meeting in Cape Town as originally scheduled.
But the name of SA Rugby’s preferred candidate will be put to the council and ratified.
It’s understood that some paperwork needs to be completed, which has taken longer than planned but that the appointment is not in jeopardy and the naming will take place next week.
SA Rugby have not divulged the name of their preferred candidate but the Dispatch has learned that former Stormers boss Allister Coetzee is the man for the job.
Coetzee, 52, is currently contracted to Japanese club side Kobe Kobelco Steel. SA Rugby and the club need to agree to a transfer fee.
Coetzee took the Stormers to the Super Rugby play-offs four times in six seasons when in charge, which included the 2010 final.
He favoured a defence-based game, which has drawn some criticism from those that feel the Springboks need to evolve their conservative approach. Under Coetzee’s predecessor Heyneke Meyer, the Boks ended doing little more than tackling and surviving off turnovers by the end of last year.
Meyer briefly attempted to change the Boks’ approach during his tenure between 2012 and 2015 and had some success, particularly in 2013 when they scored 47 tries in 12 internationals. That run included four against the Wallabies during a record 38-12 win in Brisbane and four against the All Blacks in a losing effort at Ellis Park.
But Meyer increasingly moved away from a more expansive approach until the Boks became little more than a defence-first team.
For the Springboks to close the widening gap on world champions New Zealand the new coach will have to find ways of creating try-scoring opportunities.
Coetzee, stereotyped as a risk-averse coach, will have to embrace that challenge. But he is well-liked and respected within the local rugby fraternity, which will allow him licence to experiment.
Former Bok skipper Fourie du Preez is an unexpected supporter of Coetzee as coach. “I don’t know who the new coach will be, but I read in the media it’s going to be Allister (Coetzee). The delay in naming the coach is not great for our rugby, but if it is Allister it will be good for SA,” he said.
“When Allister was Bok assistant coach under Jake White (between 2004-07) we got on well. He is one of the most knowledgeable backs coaches I have worked with.
“What I hear from the Stormers guys is also good. He is a great people’s person and I think he will be a good choice.”
Before the formal general council meeting today, an extraordinary general council meeting will take place where presidents from at least 12 of SA’s 14 unions will seek clarity from the executive council over chief executive Jurie Roux’s position.
Roux is facing a lawsuit from the University of Stellenbosch for the alleged misuse of Maties Rugby Club funds between 2002-2010 when he was chairman.
The exco sought labour law opinion from senior council and have backed Roux based on that advice and pending the outcome of his dispute with Maties.
Although not formally on the agenda, the issue of EP Rugby’s provisional liquidation will also come under discussion.
Brass holds off on naming Bok coach
But the name of SA Rugby’s preferred candidate will be put to the council and ratified.
It’s understood that some paperwork needs to be completed, which has taken longer than planned but that the appointment is not in jeopardy and the naming will take place next week.
SA Rugby have not divulged the name of their preferred candidate but the Dispatch has learned that former Stormers boss Allister Coetzee is the man for the job.
Coetzee, 52, is currently contracted to Japanese club side Kobe Kobelco Steel. SA Rugby and the club need to agree to a transfer fee.
Coetzee took the Stormers to the Super Rugby play-offs four times in six seasons when in charge, which included the 2010 final.
He favoured a defence-based game, which has drawn some criticism from those that feel the Springboks need to evolve their conservative approach. Under Coetzee’s predecessor Heyneke Meyer, the Boks ended doing little more than tackling and surviving off turnovers by the end of last year.
Meyer briefly attempted to change the Boks’ approach during his tenure between 2012 and 2015 and had some success, particularly in 2013 when they scored 47 tries in 12 internationals. That run included four against the Wallabies during a record 38-12 win in Brisbane and four against the All Blacks in a losing effort at Ellis Park.
But Meyer increasingly moved away from a more expansive approach until the Boks became little more than a defence-first team.
For the Springboks to close the widening gap on world champions New Zealand the new coach will have to find ways of creating try-scoring opportunities.
Coetzee, stereotyped as a risk-averse coach, will have to embrace that challenge. But he is well-liked and respected within the local rugby fraternity, which will allow him licence to experiment.
Former Bok skipper Fourie du Preez is an unexpected supporter of Coetzee as coach. “I don’t know who the new coach will be, but I read in the media it’s going to be Allister (Coetzee). The delay in naming the coach is not great for our rugby, but if it is Allister it will be good for SA,” he said.
“When Allister was Bok assistant coach under Jake White (between 2004-07) we got on well. He is one of the most knowledgeable backs coaches I have worked with.
“What I hear from the Stormers guys is also good. He is a great people’s person and I think he will be a good choice.”
Before the formal general council meeting today, an extraordinary general council meeting will take place where presidents from at least 12 of SA’s 14 unions will seek clarity from the executive council over chief executive Jurie Roux’s position.
Roux is facing a lawsuit from the University of Stellenbosch for the alleged misuse of Maties Rugby Club funds between 2002-2010 when he was chairman.
The exco sought labour law opinion from senior council and have backed Roux based on that advice and pending the outcome of his dispute with Maties.
Although not formally on the agenda, the issue of EP Rugby’s provisional liquidation will also come under discussion.
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