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Kick-off to find Bok coaches
04/02/2008 22:11 - (SA)
Stephen Nell, Die Burger
Cape Town - Up to three former rugby coaches could be involved in the selection panel that will appoint Springbok coach Peter de Villiers' assistants.
Jannie Ferreira, chair of the committee that will appoint the assistant coaches, said on Monday the intention was to make use of the technical knowledge of former coaches.
Jonathan Stones, managing director of SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd, said Tuesday was the deadline for members of the selection committee to nominate candidates.
Advertisements for assistant coaches were published on Sunday.
"We are also going to invite certain persons to apply but no promises will be made and no undertakings will be given," Ferreira said.
"All the candidates on our shortlist will undergo psychometric tests. I had a meeting with Peter two weeks ago and he told me he had made no agreements and had created no expectations with anyone."
Ferreira said they would focus on candidates with good technical knowledge rather than try to find someone who would eventually take over from De Villiers.
"In my framework one seeks different qualities in an assistant coach than those of a chief coach.
"With assistant coaches, it's about fine technical detail. The chief coach must involve himself with the bigger picture," Ferreira said.
Want to retain continuity
He said the appointment of assistant coaches enjoyed priority. Other positions in the Springbok management would be advertised later.
SA Rugby did not want to link the management's position to that of the Springbok coach as was the case when Jake White was the coach.
"The idea is to link the management to SA Rugby, rather than to the coach. We want to retain continuity in our structures," Ferreira explained.
Other members of the selection panel are Mike Stofile, James Stoffberg, Koos Basson, Oregan Hoskins, Mpumelelo Tshume, De Villiers and Stones.
Consensus has not been reached within SA Rugby over former coaches who may be involved in the process.
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské, Lions coach Eugene Eloff and former WP and Springbok coach Carel du Plessis have been mentioned as possible candidates to assist De Villiers.
It would make sense to invite Super 14 coaches to apply but Ferreira and Stones emphasised that the process was not loaded in anyone's favour.
SA Rugby placed advertisements to ensure it would be a fair process and that every possible candidate would be considered.
Meanwhile, preparations are being made for the SA Rugby Union to conduct further discussions with former Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer about a possible role in SA rugby.
It is unlikely that Meyer will apply for one of the two positions for assistant coaches but he certainly is a candidate for a position as director of coaching.
Johan Prinsloo, CEO of Saru, said on Monday a process had been started and "Heyneke will hear from us soon".
Saru vice-president Mike Stofile, who conducted the initial discussions with Meyer, said the process was now in Prinsloo's hands.
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Rugby
