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First win for new Bok coach
27/03/2008 22:18 - (SA)
Morris Gilbert , Beeld
Cape Town - The SA Rugby Union's constitution will be amended here on Friday to give new Springbok coach Peter de Villiers the deciding vote in the selection of the national team.
The only stumbling block was removed on the eve of Saru's annual meeting when Western Province changed their mind and decided to support the motion to amend the constitution.
There are two ways of changing the constitution. One is by a unanimous resolution supported by all 45 voting members at the annual meeting; the other by way of a 75-percent vote in favour.
Notice of a motion to be voted upon has to be given three weeks before the annual meeting. De Villiers's insistence to have the last say in the selection of the Springbok team came too late for this to be done.
Saru president Oregan Hoskins confirmed on Thursday night that the presidents of the 14 member unions had given their support to the amendment during a meeting held earlier in the day.
They now have to convince the other delegates of their unions to support the resolution on Friday.
WP's change of mind did not come as a surprise because the union was the only one to show reluctance to support De Villiers's request.
Interference and political pressures
Hoskins said the constitutional change would herald a new era in SA rugby because the coach would now, for the first time, be legally accountable for the successes and failures of his team.
The change would bring a major responsibility, said Hoskins, but he had no doubt that De Villiers would use caution in exercising his deciding vote.
Springbok coaches have often been criticised for team selections that were not of their own making.
Interference and political pressures sometimes resulted in the coach not getting the team that he wanted to play.
The power that De Villiers is expected to be given on Friday does not mean the other selectors will have a secondary role and duties.
They will still have an important advisory role and will assist De Villiers in identifying talented players and in compiling the national training squad.
Hoskins believes that, as a result of the amendment, De Villiers will sign his contract with SA Rugby on Friday.
The finalisation of the contract has been delayed for weeks because De Villiers, who was appointed in January, wanted to know what stance Saru's presidents' council would take.
- Beeld
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