Springboks coach job is safe, for now

Sat, Dec 10, 2016, 2:55 AM
AFP
by AFP
South Africa Coach Allister Coetzee survives, as South Africa looks into mass change. Photo: Getty Images
South Africa Coach Allister Coetzee survives, as South Africa looks into mass change. Photo: Getty Images

South Africa's rugby union announced major changes to the structure of the game in the country on Friday, but resisted the immediate temptation to dismiss embattled coach Allister Coetzee.

SA Rugby's all-powerful General Council met on Friday to push through a raft of constitutional changes, but Coetzee's future remained uncertain after the team suffered the worst year in their history by losing eight of their 12 Tests.

Coetzee will provide a report to SA Rugby's High Performance Committee on Tuesday, which will then make a recommendation to the organisation's Executive Committee.

Allister Coetzee has been confirmed as the new Springboks coachThe Executive Committee has taken over from the General Council as the decision-makers at SA Rugby and will select future Bok coaches in another of the constitutional changes announced on Friday.

This takes the power of coach selection out of the hands of the 15 individual unions in the country and into SA Rugby's inner sanctum, headed by president Mark Alexander.

Other constitutional changes have been pushed through that SA Rugby hope will provide a more solid platform from which to select future Bok squads.

Squad selection will no longer be made by committee and instead a single convenor will work with the coach.

Share
Former U20 skipper Macpherson earns debut call-up as Wallabies confirm Bledisloe Cup squad
The Wallabies will assemble in Auckland on Sunday. Photo: Getty Images
Macpherson earns first Wallabies call up as squad confirmed for Bledisloe Cup Series
Australia U18s continue winning streak with high-scoring victory over New Zealand Barbarians U18s
Super Rugby AUS 2026 Teams: All the team news for the Grand Final