South African rugby has enough quality players for the Boks to become a force to be reckoned with in time for the 2019 World Cup, according to director of rugby Rassie Erasmus. CRAIG LEWIS reports. Over the past two years, the Boks have suffered historic defeats against the likes of Ireland, Italy, Argentina and New Zealand – not to mention… Read more →
Rassie Erasmus insists that any uncertainty over the Springbok coaching structures will not affect his role as South Africa’s new director of rugby, writes CRAIG LEWIS. There has been an understanding for some time now that the national coaching setup is in line for a shake-up, with the Boks’ loss to Wales in their final Test last year leaving Allister… Read more →
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 →
Jurie Roux says SA Rugby is more likely to bid for the 2022 Sevens World Cup than the 2027 World Cup.
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 →
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 →
