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Saru divided on new Bok coach
08/01/2008 22:50 - (SA)
Stephen Nell, Die Burger
Cape Town - A vote was required in order to decide on the candidate to succeed Jake White as Springbok coach.
The special committee entrusted with determining the most suitable candidate to take over the reigns as Bok coach was divided, with Heyneke Meyer and Peter de Villiers both receiving support.
Eventually, after the vote, a name was agreed upon which will be presented to Saru's presidents' council.
The presidents' council will gather on Wednesday morning to give their final stamp of approval and Saru president Oregan Hoskins has scheduled a news conference for 13:00.
Meyer on Tuesday received the support of South Africa's top players, but it remains to be seen whether this support is shared by the top brass.
Meanwhile, rugby365.com's Jan de Koning reports that South Africa's senior players have voted overwhelmingly in favour of Meyer as the next Springbok coach.
Meyer received 198 out of 258 votes from the members of the South African Players Union (Sarpa).
Interviews with the four short-listed candidates to succeed Jake White as national coach - Heyneke Meyer, Peter de Villiers, Allister Coetzee and Chester Williams - were concluded on Tuesday.
The four candidates were interviewed by a special committee, under the chairmanship of South African Rugby Union deputy president Mike Stofile. The committee will make their recommendation to Saru's presidents' council.
The results of the poll, conducted among more than 300 of the country's top players, were handed to Stofile on Tuesday, although it is uncertain what bearing it will have on the committee's recommendation.
Favourite
Piet Heymans, the chief executive of Sarpa, confirmed that Meyer was the overwhelming favourite among the country's players.
A similar poll was conducted among the players ahead of White's appointment in 2004 - with the Rugby World Cup-winning coach also a favourite at the time.
"It is pretty clear who the players want as coach," Heymans said.
He revealed that SMS's were sent to 333 of their members and received 258 responses.
The results were:
Heyneke Meyer - 198
Peter de Villiers - 36
Allister Coetzee - 18
Chester Williams - 4
There were two spoilt votes.
Heymans added that he hoped the committee and the presidents' council would take note of the players' wishes, even though Sarpa had no formal representation on the council.
"These players have all played under most of these coaches and should know who the best candidates are. There is good value in listening to their opinions," Heymans said, adding that the poll was a "very valuable" exercise.
Disappointed
The Sarpa boss expressed his disappointment that players still did not have a formal say in the appointment of the new Springbok coach.
"I feel a little disappointed that the players have not formally been included in the process," Heymans said.
Heymans, who is a member of the Saru board but does not have any input in presidents' council matters, also expressed hope that players would have a notable say in all future structures in SA rugby.
Who should be Bok coach?
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