Heynene Meyer will not seek to renew his Springbok coaching contract beyond its current period, meaning he has effectively resigned as Bok coach.Meyer’s contract ends on December 31 and he will no longer be the Springbok coach in 2016, paving the way for former Stormers coach Allister Coetzee to take the job.
After a difficult 12 months that saw the Boks lose to Argentina and Japan and also fail to win the World Cup, Meyer lost not only public support but also allies in the upper echelons of South African rugby.
Meyer famously claimed that there are only two types of rugby: “Winning and losing”. After failing to win any meaningful silverware in his four-year tenure he did the honourable thing.
“I have always put the Springboks first in my time as coach and since returning from England I have realised that as much as I believe I still have a lot to offer, the time has come for change,” Meyer said in a statement.
“My integrity is very important and I feel I can leave with my head held high. I’ve always maintained that my only motivation was to serve my country and to do what was best for the Springboks.
“I have greatly enjoyed my time as Springbok coach – although it has been highly pressured at times and especially tough on my family. I would like to thank them for their unwavering support in the last four years.
“I have put my heart and soul into the job and did my very best. I believe that, overall, I leave the team with much to look forward to in 2016, with new structures in place to ensure the Springboks will remain competitive on the world stage.”
Saru president Oregan Hoskins accepted Meyer’s decision.
“We have reached a natural watershed in many ways with a significant number of senior players either retiring or moving overseas as well as the fact that our Strategic Transformation Plan is now in full swing,” said Hoskins.
“Heyneke gave his all for the Springboks and it was a great pleasure to work with such a passionate South African. There were many highlights during his time as coach and those are the moments we will remember.”
Saru confirmed that a search for a new coach will start immediately, although sources have informed the Dispatch that Coetzee has already been approached about taking up the job.
Meyer was initially seen as a saviour of Springbok rugby when he took over from the eccentric Peter de Villiers in 2012.
Meyer began to lose grip on his tenure with defeats against Ireland and Wales at the end of 2014 before a first-ever loss to Argentina.
Going down 37-25 to the Pumas in Durban was a huge blow and when the Boks fell 34-32 to Japan in their World Cup opener 10 weeks ago, only winning the World Cup could save him.
Along the way Meyer blundered in terms of transformation, failing to seize opportunities to give black players chances.
As Bok coach Meyer was in charge for 48 Tests, winning 32, losing 14 with two draws for a 66.7 winning percentage.
Meyer gives up the Bok mantle
Meyer’s contract ends on December 31 and he will no longer be the Springbok coach in 2016, paving the way for former Stormers coach Allister Coetzee to take the job.
After a difficult 12 months that saw the Boks lose to Argentina and Japan and also fail to win the World Cup, Meyer lost not only public support but also allies in the upper echelons of South African rugby.
Meyer famously claimed that there are only two types of rugby: “Winning and losing”. After failing to win any meaningful silverware in his four-year tenure he did the honourable thing.
“I have always put the Springboks first in my time as coach and since returning from England I have realised that as much as I believe I still have a lot to offer, the time has come for change,” Meyer said in a statement.
“My integrity is very important and I feel I can leave with my head held high. I’ve always maintained that my only motivation was to serve my country and to do what was best for the Springboks.
“I have greatly enjoyed my time as Springbok coach – although it has been highly pressured at times and especially tough on my family. I would like to thank them for their unwavering support in the last four years.
“I have put my heart and soul into the job and did my very best. I believe that, overall, I leave the team with much to look forward to in 2016, with new structures in place to ensure the Springboks will remain competitive on the world stage.”
Saru president Oregan Hoskins accepted Meyer’s decision.
“We have reached a natural watershed in many ways with a significant number of senior players either retiring or moving overseas as well as the fact that our Strategic Transformation Plan is now in full swing,” said Hoskins.
“Heyneke gave his all for the Springboks and it was a great pleasure to work with such a passionate South African. There were many highlights during his time as coach and those are the moments we will remember.”
Saru confirmed that a search for a new coach will start immediately, although sources have informed the Dispatch that Coetzee has already been approached about taking up the job.
Meyer was initially seen as a saviour of Springbok rugby when he took over from the eccentric Peter de Villiers in 2012.
Meyer began to lose grip on his tenure with defeats against Ireland and Wales at the end of 2014 before a first-ever loss to Argentina.
Going down 37-25 to the Pumas in Durban was a huge blow and when the Boks fell 34-32 to Japan in their World Cup opener 10 weeks ago, only winning the World Cup could save him.
Along the way Meyer blundered in terms of transformation, failing to seize opportunities to give black players chances.
As Bok coach Meyer was in charge for 48 Tests, winning 32, losing 14 with two draws for a 66.7 winning percentage.
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