Wanted: A new Springbok coach

2007-06-11 12:28

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Gary Boshoff

With all the "sensational revelations" about Jake White's supposed irresponsible behaviour and the general acceptance that his contract will not be renewed after the World Cup, the succession debate regarding who will take over from him, has begun in earnest.

In many quarters the belief is strong that the time has arrived for Saru to appoint a black coach to take charge of the Springboks.

Speculation has been rife that in the light of the latest "crackdown" on Jake White and the Springbok selectors' power over selection, the leadership of Saru has finally shown some political will to fundamentally change the course of South African rugby.

It is not that there are no qualified black candidates, in fact, someone like Pieter de Villiers does indeed have the knowledge, experience and people management skills to successfully take over as Springbok coach.

The main determinant of his success, if appointed, will be the kind of support structures put in place to ensure the implementation of his strategy for the Springboks.

It must be kept in mind that the core of the World Cup Springboks will in all probability follow the lure of the pound and the euro and would thus, under the present dispensation not be eligible for Springbok selection post-RWC 2007.

Ideal opportunity

This will leave the new coach in the unenviable position of having to start with the rebuilding process of a "new team".

One can argue that because of this the situation offers Saru the ideal opportunity to appoint someone like De Villiers who has coached most of the present crop of "new Springboks" at some stage in their careers and relishes the opportunity to prove his ability at the highest level.

Other candidates for Springbok coach would include Heyneke Meyer, the triumphant Bulls coach who has proved that strategic planning, effective structures and specialist coaching are critical to sustained success in rugby.

The problem with Meyer is that he has not been able to contextualise his role within the South African socio-political reality and as such is a non-starter for the position.

He would be an ideal assistant for De Villiers, but Meyer is known for doing his own thing and will never be an assistant coach again, least of all to a black Springbok coach!

Assistant

Though many believe Rassie Erasmus to be a strong candidate, his team's dismal performance in the Super 14 did him no favours.

He would in all probability be a better assistant then a head coach in my book.

I don't believe Saru will venture Nick Mallett's way again - he certainly doesn't have a lot of friends in the present administration of South African rugby.

So what about an international coach?

Will Saru even consider appointing a non-South African?

With top coaches like Heyneke Meyer, Dick Muir, Eugene Eloff, Eric Sauls, Timmy Goodwin, John Williams to name a few in the system it would be difficult to justify.

Take over

So I don't think it's an option Saru is considering.

Nevertheless, whoever is going to take over the reigns from Jake White needs to be recruited or appointed as soon as possible.

The last appointment process was an embarrassing affair, something which the present administration can ill-afford to repeat.

Despite the fact that there is no year-end tour, the sooner the new Springbok coach is appointed, the better for the next generation of Springbok heroes.

Gary Boshoff is a former Saru player and well-known rugby administrator.

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Yes, I think it is time we pick a new coach and a "black" one. Then we can always blame apartheid for his of success or lack of structures to support him etc.Your column Gary is like the rugby you played - POOR VERY POOR

"The main determinant of his success, if appointed, will be the kind of support structures put in place to ensure the implementation of his strategy for the Springboks. " No Gary. The only way to tell if a coach is successfull is by the percentage of games that his team actually wins. My 2 cents.

Gary Boshoff, do we really care if the new Sa coach is white or black? But the way in which the article is written suggests that it HAS to be a black.Are we to have transformation in our selection of head coach also, and will it be on merit? I only ask because gary Boshoff has put doubt in my mind.

Jake White has brought stabillity to the springbok team, which is a lot more than you journalists can say, as all you do is try to sensationalize something to get your story sold. Jake White needs all the support he can get especially with the World cup looming. Stories like yours are so old and boring and talk about firing the coach at this stage will solve nothing, instead you only create dissemination amongst all. Jake's whole support structure is what matters not just him alone. If you can do a better job as you seem to know everything, why do you not apply for the job? Journalists with some posititvy are what our Springbok team need right now and not criticism. Creating a sense of expectation to the public is what is required on your part in support of their winning spree thus far.

Gary, have you written this article just for sensationalism? I find it absolutely appalling that the best Springbok coach we've had since returning to the international fold is vilified by people like you just to gain a little more attention for your column. Saru is on a mission to dislodge him as a coach because there aren't 15 black players in the Springbok squad, do me a favour and find 15 black players in the country and by players I don't mean your token Owen Nkumane's or Hanyani Shimange's

Well it appears that everyone, including you Gary, are jumping on this "down with Jake" crusade. The current administration is turning SA rugby into a joke, as they have about as much tact as a taxi driver. Oh, sorry, same mentality. Why must a coach be selected to promote politics?! Why must he be black? Since when is a white coach so evil? Wake up please. At this rate we will be able to compete against Zim soon. Transformation of sport is an oxymoron. It will destroy sport.

''Springbok selectors power over selection'' what are you talking about!! Who should have the power over selection? Some two bit politician! Its time that the rugby supporters go on strike and show SARFU and supposidely knowledgeble sport writers that we want the best players irrespective of colour and their fathers alliances.

Boshoff you are just as much a sensationalist as the other journos claiming Jakes head. Why does SA rugby need a black coach or why is the time now ripe for a black coach? Just pick the best coach and stop moaning about the fact that he is not black!Do you think De Villiers will have the support/respect of any white South African after he apprantly stated that he will support a quota of 10 black players in the Springbok starting 15? You must be crazy if you think he will have any white support!

I guess what you said is what it will be boiling down to. It really is sad that we have come to the stage where politics and politicians are running the show of a sport treasured and loved by so many.

This whole SARU debacle is going to cost this country dearly in terms of the national team. This whole quota system is going to backfire in their faces. After the world cup I won?t be surprised if the nation divorces it from the national team. Al of the ?real? players will be abroad and those left will have to deal with the SARU window dressing. Why can?t we accept the philosophy of the ?best person for the job? and get rid of all the politics. You either have natural talent or not ? you can?t force it with quotas. But on the other hand, if SARU wants to end up with a bankrupt company, so be it. The Super 14 and Curry Cup are in any case more entertaining without all this political rubbish of the Springboks.

"He would be an ideal assistant for De Villiers, but Meyer is known for doing his own thing and will never be an assistant coach again, least of all to a black Springbok coach!" Does this mean you think Heynecke Meyer is a racist? Please explain.

This hair-brained notion can only have come from one of those groups of intellectual pygmies that inhabit various and nefarious 'rugby-think-tanks' and race obsessed sports-writers who lose sight of common sense in the rarified atmosphere they breath and share among themselves at Ellis park. SA Rugby is in fantastic hands with Jake and does not need manipulating to meet the racist way that you and politicians of the luke watson variety demand. No wonder half our young white stars are emigrating.

Everybody is bloody crazy. What was everybody saying about Jake White when we won the 2004 Tri-Nations? Jake is our best coach. As long as politics rule our sport, we will never achieve greatness in it.

Sorry Mr Boshoff but this is without doubt one of the worst bits of journalism i have ever read on News24. Im rather shocked that you would bother submitting this as it is baseless and for the most part almost farcical and child like. Im very disappointed as your articles generally carry more weight and certainly more substance.

thats why the anc loves you and you just extended your contract another 2 years. this is bull!! lets see how well the boks will do without the current team and lets play the colour game. apartheid or not, this sport has always been mostly white, soccer stay black.you dont c us complain!!

Unbelievable, even with all the political interferance, Jake White is getting winning rugby from his Boks. As long as politicians carrying massive chips on their shoulders continue to ruin SA rugby, the further we`ll fall. Can`t wait to see who pays the ticket prices and fills stadiums up when Springbok rubgy has been totally destroyed by incompetance! FED UP!

I have read your article and i must say i think your column has been written in bad taste. I agree with Gavin Buckle . Go ahead and pick 15 black players . Saru will not ever be happy with less than 15 black players. Only one thing matters and that is winning matches based on players that was picked on merit.

I honestly do hope they appoint this "experienced" coach de villiers you talk about.Success at age group level and out in the real rugby world is completely different.We are already in the process of selecting players and now coaches on the basis of the colour of their skin.....uhm sound familiar from the apartheid days.Select 13 black springboks and have a black coach.we will see how many people buy tickets to come watch these players and how long the sponsors stay with empty stadiums.

Firstly - Gary you are a joke - Just as bad as Jackie Cameron from moneyweb. Why not leave the coach alone so that he can win us the WORDL CUP - Secondly - We want the best people for the positions so that the Springboks can win because that is what international sport is about! Secondly - If all this is true then I will NEVER support another South African team. What is happening to our country? This is a joke!!

I find it ironic, and telling that overseas rugby speculation leans toward this being the last WC the springboks will feature in as prize contenders due to unfair political pressures. I'm glad that many of our top players are leaving to go play rugby abroad where they will be measured on merit alone. I'd wager it won't be long before deserving players of color go overseas as well, as this political stupidity will affect them as well. Gary, you are a fool, and not a true rugby fan. Get lost.

Gary, I think what you have just managed to demonstrate to everyone is that you are much less interested in true transformation, which takes time and understanding, than following a political agenda which should have no place in sport. ALL South Africans would be 100% happy with a team made up of only players of colour, coached by a coach of colour, as long as they are selected on merit, and not to make a statement.

This article is more proof that there are forces at work behind the scenes who have every intention of ruining Bok rugby. Merit should be the only criteria to select a Bok side. Let Pieter De Villiers pick 10 black players in his first test but I promise you, if they don`t deserve to be there, the fans will vote with their feet and NOBODY will watch test matches in this country. This will translate into sponsorships being withdrawn and the end of the game as we know it in SA.

U are such an expert, why don't u apply for the job? At least Supersport is broadcasting Heineken Cup, so from next year we can still see the Springboks, just on other fields. This will be the last year we'll see Springbok rugby as we know it, and we can thank people like yourself for the state of our sport.

What a load of bull! Gary your column is pathetic and your attitude toward all that the springbok stands for is even worse. Why dont we just stop playing rugby on all levels and allow for stadiums to be community parks for black polititians?. This is evidently what you hope to achieve. Do the public a favour and save your lobsided views to yourself.

Gary, who the hell is Timmy Goodwin and John Williams you see as possible next coach??? Why can't you write about what you know and stop looking for sensational stories. The lastes Jake-debacle: What did a drunk journo do in bar talking to Jake. He also got into a fight(allededly)with the other person over a women.Nothing to do with Jake.ALL SENSATION!!!!

Gary how many failed ventures will it take ie SAA, Eskom etc until the realisation that politics and sports/business dont mix, this has be be the great South African story of the government messing with stuff it knows squat about, why cant we just have the best man for the job for a change, I find your enthusiasim for change of management in South African rugby disturbing, it should be based on performance and performance alone. No wonder skilled people are leaving South Africa in there millions (black and white), we have no faith in the powers that control these things, they show time and time again how they are incapable of the most basic of management tasks.

Funny how, if a white journalist had to write about how strongly he felt of getting rid of an black coach and strongly recommended to appoint a NEW white coach it would be considered racism. But if you're black and express you're racist feelings towards white coaches/players/administrators, you hide behind the insanely "nice" word of transformation. Stop with this nonsense and pick the players/coaches on merit alone - not colour!! Gary, this column is motivated by racial discremenation.

Why not just let Jake do his job. You would swear that sports jornos are so pathetic in SA that they have to try cause bikkering in the ranks. Jake has done a fantastic job, so far. If SA wins the RWC, then why get rid of him?? Just to get a black man to coach? Pathetic column and pathetic old school sports jornos - please we need some new blood here. As for Keo's comments on the weekend, simply disruptive comments for SA rugby - GO HOME KEO!

And if (when?) Saru appoints a black coach just for being black, and 10 out of 15 players just because they are black, will be the day all the white supporters stop supporting SA rugby. Imagine that - very few people showing up at games, nobody buying Springbok (Protea??) jerseys, all this will result in no funding, and the ultimate death of SA Rugby. It's weird that everybody rejoiced when we won the 1995 World Cup, nobody cared that Francois Pienaar and Joel Stransky are white.

So Pieter De Villiers is going to be a better coach? What is his track record? A few u/19 wins a few u/21 wins and that's about that. Any Super 14 experience? No, any proper Curriecup experience no. OK lets blame apartheid. What is Jake's record, 1st season, International coach of the year, International team of the year, international player of the year. Not even two years later, in the World Cup year, Lets Fire him. What are you smoking?

Don't results count anymore? Well the question is obviously no. Merit doesn't count, results don't count. What counts is getting 15 blacks onto the field. You see that way the goverment can control yet another facit of SA sports. Jake go oversees and coach where it counts and let the rest of SA comment on what a traitor you are. People like Gary, who's only there to see his own agenda fulfilled. Boring!

I agree with the person who wrote "ludicrous". If Gary didn't write this article for sensationalism then I think his grasp on reality and any logical thought capabilities is very limited. Perhaps it is because he was schooled under the apartheid system which he can also blame for most short comings he might have. He certainly is short sighted and I'm sure Gary DOFFHOFF will find some way in which to trace his problems back to the favourite son of scapegoats:APPARDHEID! You're not taken seriously!

Gary what is it with you race obsessed know it alls who always seem to critisize our national teams at the very time when all they need is our utmost support? how can you expect a coach and a team to perform at their best (at a world Cup on top of it) when you are ranting and raving about firing him just to pursue your political agenda. i wonder what you'd say if the whole team and support staff were 100% black and we're still losing?

i Dont think SARU knows what coming for them once they put 8 players of colour in the Bok team and they keep on losing, know one will be willing to pay the price for an international match if we lose, so stop thinking of how many whites, blacks, indians, muslims, pakistanis, iraqis etc are in the team, we in south africa are more intressted in results than colour. If we had the black talent then fine, play 15 black people, but we dont have!!so wake up SARU bosses, or u will be unemployed!!

So it seems you are judge, jury and executioner as it is fait accompli that Jake is going. Bizarre column for a supposedly patriotic South African to write on the eve of the World Cup, but then I guess political leveraging and the dominance of the black man is more important than anything these days. If jake is displaced and if Pieter de Villiers is the right man for the job, all well and good. If I was Pieter, I would be cautious about accepting this responsibility.

Gary Boshoff does it again... gives a biased, unknowledgable, racially-slanted view. You are wrong when you say that our Boks and top coaches are "being lured by the lucrative pound" to go apply their trade overseas. The truth is that most are tired of the administrative shambles and politicking that takes place within our rugby administrators (and "journalists" like yourself). Jake is continuing to prove you all wrong and quite frankly, we need him more than we need you and the administrators!

What a load of rubbish !!! Surely the time has come to pick the best available squad regardless of race, colour or creed and to divorce politics and sport. This is our national team we are talking about and I for one would much rather support a team that is acknowledged by most to the best available than a team that is "window-dressed" to suit the "previously disadvantaged". Imagine the embarassment that the token selections would feel when they realise that because of them SA did not win

This kind of story reflects greatness in the reasoning for me to want to leave South Africa. Select a black coach why - Just because of the colour of his skin. What happened to selecting based on merit?

When will SARU and the Press ever leave the Springbok Coach alone? For the last 5 years or more, there has always been a problem one way or another with all the coaches we have had - leave them alone to do their job and rather support than criticise all the time!

C'mon everyone, this is South Africa, all we do, if We win the World cup and they still "fire" jake and put players of colour in the team unfairly, we just as Bok supporters dont go to live matches(i know it will be tough) but why pay lots of money to watch something you disapprove? and once SARU sees no money streaming in from ticket money, then they might realize we want results and not a team that qualifies for transformation.......rubbish!!!!

Rugby is watched and played by South Africans that are passionate and who love the game. I don't give a damn who coaches or plays the game as long as that person is the best for the position. Poltics and colour should be left out of sports totally and the best regardless of colour should always be appointed.

By the way, when is the rugby watching public being transformed. When is Supersport going to cut the viewing signals to white households watching rugby so that there is a balance that 70% of blacks watch rugby, 10% whites and 20% for the rest. When we get to Loftus - to first allow 70% of blacks into the stadium, then 20% of the rest and then 10% of whites to watch rugby. If you want to transform the game so dearly, the governing bodies should transform their spectator numbers as well.

I hope Mr Boshoff takes time to read all these comments. After which I hope nobody ever pays him to write an artical about rubgy again. Instead of trying to create mayhem in SARFU, maybe we should focus on trying to win the World Cup, coz this is the best chance we have...

So typical, once again we are on the doorstep of a RWC, and bang on target comes the media hype about the coach and quota players - this must be a "komplot" against white coaches, players and of course rugby supporters.

Rugby is finished in South Africa slowly but surely it will be poisoned by black idiots. You don't care about rugby you see the Springboks as an apartheid symbol and will destroy it. I recommend your black coach can have the Springboks and the SARU ,whilst we create a new independent RUGBY BOARD where players are chosen on merit no matter the colour then we will see who the All Blacks prefer to play your so called Springboks or the "BLACK PANTHERS"

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