No Sprinboks coach has had a worse record with as many Test matches (22) as Allister Coetzee.
No-one has shown such an ability to be blown away without any semblance of an effective adjustment to game plan or attitude during oranges.
Nobody has allowed 114 points to be scored by an opponent in consecutive matches (the All Blacks in Durban in 2016; in Albany, this year).
Never has a Springbok coach made more excuses, had more assistance, been given more chances (even after going winless in Europe, including in Italy).
No South African rugby follower has ever listened to a less penitent coach after these horror losses.
On each occasion, whether after losing to Argentina or being crushed by Ireland, Coetzee sounds bloodless, clueless, and spineless.
(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
He begged for a reprieve in 2017 citing a lack of time, assistance, and support; and in return, in 2017, flush with all the aid he pleaded for, gave us record defeats.
He cannot blame the exigencies of the quota (50 per cent by 2019 of the team cannot be white), because ‘self-deportation’ of white players has spiked, and Test-quality black players are slowly increasing.
Most importantly, he selected Andries Coetzee at fullback, Jesse Kriel at outside centre, and Ross Cronje at scrumhalf after their unsuitability to Test rugby (in Kriel’s case, at that particular position) was clearly proved (Warrick Gelant, Lukhanyo Am, Lionel Mapoe, and Rudy Paige all were worth a shot, given 0-57 and 3-38 scorelines).
Stubbornly sticking with Elton Jantjies as his form and confidence slipped farther and farther into mediocrity, and vacillating between a kick-chase and ball-in-hand 1-3-3-1 pod attack, Coetzee never seemed to use his bench with any acumen.
Cape Town was a player’s revolt. Dublin was Coetzee’s insistence on his “way”.
Timing be damned. Send him home. Pay him. Trust me, there’s money to do it. Move on.
Willem
Guest
Keep in mind the players De Villiers had, I believe if he was thrown the same first year Coetzee was (in both supporting staff and player pool) it would've been even more of a shambles. So going on "Ability of the Coach" my money is on De Villiers, but Coetzee is not even at the level of Harry Viljoen!
Kane
Guest
Bring back Mitchell!
tamaolevao
Roar Rookie
Commiserations harry and the rest of the bokke faithful...... I did ask you why you didnt rate this cosch who came agonisingly close to beating the ABs .... I guess you were correct in picking that performance as a one off aberration.......and this performance was really the true colours.... No joy in seeeing this happen hopefully if anything positive to come out of this it would unite the playing group and the senoir group who i have gained a lot of respect for......
felix
Guest
coetzee is the worst,he is failing to select even on form black players. Rhule Jantjies etc are really really horrible Bye bye Springboks
Cuw
Guest
BLUE BULLS wider squad: Props: Pierre Schoeman, Trevor Nyakane, Lizo Gqoboka, Conraad van Vuuren, John-Roy Jenkinson, Frans van Wyk, Mox Mxoli, Matthys Basson, Gerhard Steenekamp (Apprentice, injured) Hookers: Jaco Visagie, Adriaan Strauss, Edgar Marutlulle, Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Henning Campher, Corniel Els (injured) Locks: Jason Jenkins, RG Snyman (both Japan), Lood de Jager, Aston Fortuin, Ruben van Heerden, Eli Snyman, Abongile Nonkontwana Loose Forwards: Roelof Smit, Jacques Potgieter (Japan), Hanro Liebenberg, Ruan Steenkamp (injured), Jannes Kirsten, Nic de Jager (Japan), Hendré Stassen (injured), Tim Agaba (SA Sevens), Thembelani Bholi, Shaun Adendorff, Boom Prinsloo, Denzil Hill (apprentice), Eduan Lubbe (apprentice), Jaco Bezuidenhout (apprentice), Kwezi Mafu (apprentice), Ryno Pieterse (apprentice) Scrum-halves: Ivan van Zyl (injured), Andre Warner, Embrose Papier, Theo Maree, Rudy Paige Fly-halves: Handre Pollard, Marnitz Boshoff, Manie Libbok, Tony Jantjies, Tinus de Beer Midfielders: Jesse Kriel, Dries Swanepoel, Johnny Kotze, Ulrich Beyers, Stedman Gans (SA 7s), Burger Odendaal, Francois Brummer (Japan), JT Jackson (injured) Outside backs: Warrick Gelant, Travis Ismaiel, Jamba Ulengo, Duncan Matthews, Jade Stighling, Franco Naude, Divan Rossouw, Andell Loubser (apprentice)
Johnny Ventolin
Roar Rookie
Harry, longtime lurker, but just now a Roar’er. I’ve watched the Boks since 1970. If there were ever 2 backs, couple years ago at least, that were deadset in the springbok tradition of say John Gainsford and the likes of Gerry Germushuys, it was van Rensburg and Combrinck. Even taking transformation quota’s Into consideration, why the Bok selectors would chose the fullbacks, centres and half’s they’ve picked instead of filling the white “quota” with quality and potential defies belief. That little blond bloke at half back against Ireland cannot be the best in his position in The Republic. His technical flaws in the basics of pivoting and ball prep for box kicking and passing off the ground hurt my eyes
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
I propose Hourcade to the list of bad coaches. But is this guy worse than PdV?
exbokfan
Guest
I must agree biltongbek. I was once the greatest bok fan and have x-rays of two broken hands to prove it. Self inflicted injuries incurred when our boys were not playing to their full potential. I can see many (my wife included) shaking their heads and stating how sad it is that I would lose control in this way, but I tell you that the really sad thing is the fact that I sit here after the week end with no self inflicted injuries. A sign that the Springbok brand is over, well for this fan it is. I would like to thank both you and Harry for many an insightful comment and for staying the distance. I have reached the end of the line and will be getting off at this station. Think I will try fishing.
Harry Jones
Expert
BB, that's probably true. The only way I can see it going up, is if magically all the soccer/athletics kids switch to rugby and find coaching and facilities (magically) in their schools and townships because ANC devoted serious and accountable and non-corrupted money at the right age (6-12 years old) to rugby in new communities, instead of silly quotas. #RealTransformationAKAFairyTale
Fionn, that’s a fairytail mate. Imagine the impact in any country when for years you have been slowly eroding the want and desire to rrepresnt your country. We all know South Africa has loads of talent, arguably let’s say the third biggest talent pool in the world. But every boy growing up, and exponentially so in more recent years these boys know selections aren’t merit based, the coaches are being put under more and more pressure to transform teams. The reality all the while is that SARU and the ANC is doing nothing to facilitate of finance the transformation. Transformation that should develop astute business men, administrators, coaches, specialists, players etc. Water flows the path of least resistance, players, coaches etc the same. As much as I hate it, our best are only in the SA system to make a name, seeking opportunity for more money, a better life and a fair chance elsewhere. Who wouldn’t? There are no more good coaches left in SA, they hve all ducked. The vst experience of players are sitting in clubs all over the world. Our players are you ger and you ger as they leave. 2023 will be SARU’S swan song. We will never win the RWC again, to come back from this you need collective thought, something nit even remotely possible in SA. Even if you put the best minds in SA rugby together, nothing will come of it because political intwrference will thwart it.
Fionn
Guest
But Biltongbek, imagine a stunning turnaround in which you manage to win the 2019 World Cup, or, even better, the 2023 home World Cup?
Does anyone actually still care, even if Coetzee goes now, the record of “worsts” have tarnished the last bit of legacy that was left
Cuw
Guest
no Harry - Frans Steyn is not good at 10. Montpelier have struggled with Steyn at 10 while Cruden was injured. i even watched the match and it was clear to see he could not get them going. a team that has Doumolin , Nandolo , Nangusa , Mogg / Fall in the backs. but as centers Steyn and Serf combination is the one Montpelier are sticking to right now.
Harry Jones
Expert
Lukhanyo Am, of the Sharks. He won 10 turnovers in SR.
Machooka
Roar Guru
MrRobC= QC in KL!
RobC
Roar Guru
Gday Kia! How've you been sir? KK = Koochie Koo (or coochy coo). He's a tickler.
ethan
Guest
Cronje. My word I thought he was average at the Lions when I first saw him a year or two ago. Wondering how he could possibly be promoted ahead of Faf. Could not believe he ever became Bok first choice. I think the new school of Bok 9's is a more dynamic ball runner - like Reinach and Faf, and a game plan needs to be created to work around their strengths. I don't see anyone who can play like Pienaar there.
ethan
Guest
Yes, that one is really telling.
Fionn
Guest
I think you need one of the centres to be a distributor. At the moment your centres just will not pass the ball. Who is Am?
Fionn
Guest
The forward pack is individually brilliant aside from the players selected out of position (PSTD at blindside flank rather than either of the du Preez brothers and Francois Louw at 8 rather than Vermuelen). But there is not one player in the Boks' current backline who I think would make the Wallabies, at least not on current form. Whereas Pollard, F. Steyn and Combrinck would all very likely be able to do so. Agree it is primarily the coaching though. The team has no heart in defence and is bereft of ideas in attack. Players don't play with intensity and they're almost all individually worse than they were at SR level.