The headaches that already existed for South African Rugby are set to get even stronger after Allister Coetzee’s Springboks suffered a shock loss to Italy.
It was the first time that the Springboks have ever lost to the Italians, who are typically considered battlers on the international rugby stage.
All the wash-up from France vs Wallabies:
» Match report: Wallabies outlast France
» Diggercane’s talking points
» Brent Ford’s talking points
» What changes should the Wallabies make for Ireland?
» Vote on our DIY player ratings
» Re-live the match with our live blog
» WATCH the highlights from the match
But the Boks have become battlers themselves this year. After finishing third at the World Cup in 2015 under Heyneke Meyer, they’ve lost seven of 11 Tests played this year under new coach Coetzee.
South African Rugby president Mark Alexander released this statement after the match:
The whole of South African rugby is extremely disappointed with this year’s Springbok results and deeply worrying aspects of the performances. It has not been good enough and no one is pretending otherwise.
We have a minimum target of winning three out of four Test matches each season – which is better than the historical record – but we have not come close this season.
It would be easy to lay the blame for that at one door or another and look for scapegoats but it would also be an oversimplification.
All of us within South African rugby need to look at ourselves and ask what we could have done differently in aid of the Springbok cause.
Those questions will be asked at the end of the season when we will undertake a full review of the year and what new interventions may be needed to turn things around.
We began that work recently with the coaching indaba. It set out to align national and Super Rugby coaches on the technical, tactical and conditioning requirements to succeed in 2017 and beyond.
We also have to review such things as how we manage the fact that so many of our leading players are now based outside South Africa and more are being lured there.
No group of individuals is more concerned or disappointed right now than the Springbok team and management. We know they are better than this.
After that it is our job to take steps to do as much as we possibly can to make sure we are not in a similar position in 12 months’ time. Our focus is on solutions and finding answers to our current problems.
We have a Test against Wales on Saturday and then we will review the season and spend time determining a path for the future.
While nothing is made implicit here, one would suspect that Coetzee’s head is already halfway to the chopping block after such poor performances in 2016.
He’ll need a big turn around, and soon – otherwise the Springbooks could soon have their third head coach in the space of a year.
“I’d say it’s the darkest moment of my coaching career. The toughest. But I don’t want to look at it emotionally now, because emotions are high,” said Coetzee after the match.
Coetzee said he still has the support of the players, and believes he is the right man for the job.
“It’s not good enough losing to Italy. No disrespect to Italy, they have deserved their victory and hats off to a spirited Italian side, who tackled and tackled for each other and forced us into mistakes.”
superba
Guest
Harry my recollection from years ago is that the SARU constitution states that the coach of the Springboks must be a South African. Perhaps you can check.this through your contacts.
superba
Guest
Except JCR , Malcolm Turnbull or the Minister of Sport does not instruct Cheika to select 4 Aboriginals in the run on Walllaby side .
That seems to be irrelevant Boatie, otherwise how could Markie spit in his oats? ;)
BBA
Guest
For what it is worth I think the problem is not solely Coetzee but the whole backroom of Coaches, they just dont compare well enough with other leading teams coaching talent. I do think you need more foreigners in the coaching mix to bring in fresh ideas and who have a track record of success. By all means have a South African Coach but get some talent into the coaching ranks. Coetzee's biggest failing, and it may not be of his own doing is that he doesnt surround himself with talent.
Boatie
Roar Rookie
Spare us the politically correct motherhood statements, will you, Worldgame? How can there not be racial undertones when the whole selection policy is based on racial quotas?
Harry Jones
Expert
Mark, a few seconds in the cage with Biltongbek and I think you'd be squealing.
Quality post Mark. Clueless blusters? Man, I must have seriously spoilt your Wheaties one morning.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Squeaked both playing at home against teams ranked two and four places below them.
Mark
Guest
I am not suprised The Springboks had to fly all the way to Italy - they whinge when they have to fly anything further than an hour Its not like the modern Springbok is tough or anything They are more like the clueless blusters Armand van Zyl and Biltonbek - Whiners of the 1st order
Garth
Guest
He could well be... ... depending on what his job may actually be...
If you nitpick which comments you read, you can come to any conclusion you want.
Harry Jones
Expert
He's never shown any (a) attacking nous; nor (b) "change agent" skills.
etienne marais
Guest
Yes, that sums it up perfectly. (but I think we agree that Toetie will probaby never be ready)
Harry Jones
Expert
I think it's the only real way to improve. Ideas. From outside.
Harry Jones
Expert
I think he's "readier" than Toetie; but maybe neither are ready?
Harry Jones
Expert
I know a little about it; but it wouldn't be cool to share. But it's real.
woodart
Guest
robbie deans suffered aussie xenophobia, would a foreign coach have the same problems in sth africa?
woodart
Guest
yes, obviously the empty grounds over the last few weeks where no=one has bothered to watch international rugby, and the lack of interest in traditional soccer countries has been clear to see. (sarcasm alert). possibly ,you should stick to a game where faking injuries, crowd violence and match fixing are the norm.
etienne marais
Guest
When are we scheduled to play Namibia again ?
etienne marais
Guest
...and having said that, the incoming coach should be allowed to choose his entire team by himself, with zero interference, other than advice from whoever he chooses to consult with. The right coach, if a guy from across the ocean, will KNOW instinctively that he must have a local in his team. The right coach, if a local appointee, will know that he will need some expertise from across the ocean. But even if we get the right guy (or gal), we should not presume that that solves our problems. We need to simultaneously work on the micro- as well as the macro environments, otherwise, next year, same time, same conversation. But we all know this, right ? BB, you need to start that mega-petition. Please