Springbok coach Allister Coetzee says SA Rugby’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus is ‘less competent’ than him. Coetzee made the statement in a letter addressed to SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux, which was leaked to the media over the weekend. In it, Coetzee claimed he was offered a ‘ceremonial role’ as Bok coach for 2018, and would have to report to… Read more →
Allister Coetzee says he was offered a ‘ceremonial’ role as Springbok coach in 2018, which would have meant the ‘indignity’ of reporting to Rassie Erasmus. This is revealed in a letter sent from Coetzee to SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux via his legal representatives. SA Rugby has confirmed the authenticity of the letter to TimesLIVE, which is in possession of it…. Read more →
There is apparently a complete ‘breach of trust’ between Allister Coetzee and members of the SA Rugby executive following a sequence of fiery emails. According to Die Burger rugby writer Stephen Nell, Coetzee presented a stern response this past week as he continues to defend his position as Bok coach after a two-year spell that has yielded just 11 wins from… Read more →
Rassie Erasmus is negotiating the release of the Blitzboks’ Super Rugby players for the Commonwealth Games in April. The SA Rugby director of rugby has been touring the country to ensure that the sevens players who have Super Rugby contracts will be available for the Games. Seabelo Senatla (Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Lions) and Tim Agaba (Bulls) will key to coach… Read more →
Although there has been no official confirmation from SA Rugby over the Bok coaching setup, Rassie Erasmus’ work is already well underway, writes CRAIG LEWIS. Around this time last year, SA Rugby conducted a comprehensive review of the Boks’ dismal 2016 season that yielded just four wins from 12 Tests. Despite widespread calls for Allister Coetzee to face the axe,… Read more →
SA Rugby must review its policy and approach to selecting overseas-based players in order to aid the Springboks’ cause in 2018, writes CRAIG LEWIS. It’s a damning indictment that the Springboks will be forced to press the reset button once again in 2018. After all, it was meant to be so different. When reviewing a 2016 season that yielded just… Read more →
Highly-rated Munster assistant coach Felix Jones has turned down an offer to join Rassie Erasmus’ backroom staff in South Africa. According to the Irish Independent, Erasmus had lined up Jones to join the Boks as a skills coach, but he ultimately decided to continue as Munster’s backs and attack coach. The former Ireland and Munster fullback was originally recommended for… Read more →
Munster’s fitness chief Aled Walters is set to take up a role with Rassie Erasmus as part of the Springbok set-up. Walters, in his sixth season with Munster, joined the Irish team in 2012 as a strength and rehab coach, and has previously worked with the Brumbies in Super Rugby and Taranaki in New Zealand. The Springboks have already recruited… Read more →
The Springboks have to embrace a new culture that prizes winning and brutal honesty above all else, writes JON CARDINELLI. Allister Coetzee has presided over 11 wins in 25 Tests. His record includes inaugural losses to Ireland (home), Argentina (away) and Italy, as well as record drubbings at the hands of the All Blacks, Wales and, most recently, Ireland. Nick… Read more →
The inevitable delays and lack of clarity around the likely restructuring of the Springbok coaching team means that expectations have to be realigned ahead of the 2018 season, writes CRAIG LEWIS. Last week, the Boks’ season review was expected to take place. With this in mind, many would have hoped for a swift process that saw Allister Coetzee’s fate signed,… Read more →
