Corné Krige believes Springbok backline coach Mzwandile Stick has been prematurely thrown in the 'deep end'.

Krige, who captained the Boks in 18 of his 38 Tests between 1999 and 2003, criticised the administrators who made the appointment without also bringing in an experienced coach to mentor Stick.

'He might have a lot of talent, but at international level you need years of experience,' Krige told Netwerk24. 'Stick is, with all due respect, out of his depth. He was appointed Springbok backline coach after two seasons coaching the worst union in the country's U19 team,' he added.

'To coach the Springboks is difficult enough and someone should be held accountable somewhere for making such thoughtless decisions.'

But while Krige was critical of those that made Stick's appointment, he was empathetic towards head coach Allister Coetzee.

'I have a lot of sympathy for Allister because he can only work with what he has and there are questions about the quality of his coaching staff.'

Krige went on to say that while SA Rugby's three-day coaching indaba was a step in the right direction, the root of the problem goes much deeper.

'The indaba might be a good idea, but I cannot help but be skeptical. We have more of a structural problem with too many amateurs as administrators in a professional sport.'

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