Springboks poised to appoint Meyer as new coach
Northern Bulls supremo Heyneke Meyer is set to be named coach of two-time world champions South Africa on Friday in succession to Peter de Villiers.
It would be an ironic appointment as 44-year-old Bulls rugby director Meyer was the hot favourite to get the post four years ago, only for De Villiers to be given the nod and become the first black coach of the Springboks.
De Villiers had his highs and low during four years in charge of the green and gold, but too many ill-advised comments and a quarter-final exit from the 2011 World Cup sealed his fate.
A Johannesburg newspaper labelled Meyer a "rank outsider" a few months ago, amid wild media speculation that saw more than a dozen local and foreign coaches linked to one of the most prized rugby union coaching positions.
But as some, like former Springbok coach Nick Mallett, declared themselves unavailable and others like trophy-less Allister Coetzee of Western Stormers were found wanting under close scrutiny, it became a two-coach race.
Ireland assistant coach Gert Smal was reportedly the first choice of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) bosses ahead of Meyer, as the Springboks plot a comeback after a 11-9 World Cup defeat by Australia last October.
But former South Africa flank Smal opted to honour a contract that keeps him in Ireland until mid-2013 and also did not want to disrupt the schooling of his teenage son and daughter.
Meyer, understandly hurt by the 2008 snub after presenting a CV far superior to that of De Villiers, was initially reluctant to become involved again but SARU officials led by chief executive Jurie Roux talked him round.
His record is unmatched among South African coaches, with a Super 14 crown and four Currie Cup titles to his credit and a ringing endorsement from recently retired Springbok icon Victor Matfield.
Lock Matfield said in his autobiography that Meyer was the best coach he had ever played under and subsequently stressed that the new man at the helm must have a good track record.
"I think they should appoint someone who has achieved things -- they should get the top three brains in South African rugby and then get a manager to drive the whole thing," he said.
"During my final months with the Springboks, I noticed what a difference a guy like 'Rassie' Erasmus can make -- the new ideas he brought to the training ground."
Erasmus could be named technical advisor to the Springboks, although the former national team loose forward has also been linked with clubs in England and France.
Others in contention for places within the Meyer team are World Sevens Series coach Paul Treu, who has been mooted as a possible assistant, and defence expert Jacques Nienaber.
There have been 11 Bok coaches since re-admission from apartheid-induced isolation in 1992: John Williams, Gerrie Sonnekus, Ian McIntosh, Kitch Christie, Andre Markgraaff, Carel du Plessis, Mallett, Harry Viljoen, Rudolf Straeuli, White and De Villiers.
Date published : 26 Jan 201212:46:27
