SOUTH African Rugby Union (Saru) president Oregan Hoskins said yesterday the only change in the organisation in the next few days would be the appointment of a new CEO, as Springbok coach Peter de Villiers still had Saru’s backing despite criticism after the Boks’ disappointing start to the Tri-Nations.
Former Springbok coach Jake White wasted no time in announcing that he would reapply for his former position after next year’s Rugby World Cup, following the Boks’ third successive Tri-Nations defeat in Australasia at the weekend.
Some of De Villiers’ critics reacted to the poor results, saying the coach had been found out at senior international level, which created doubts about the team’s ability to defend their World Cup title.
But Hoskins yesterday eased the pressure on De Villiers, saying Saru’s bosses supported the coach to take the team to the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand next year.
"There is a lot of wrong that needs to be made right after the bad start to the Tri-Nations," said Hoskins. "But that doesn’t mean that we don’t support the coach."
He said Saru’s bosses would meet De Villiers today or tomorrow to discuss the team’s form in the past few weeks, but stressed that the main objective would be to find ways to improve their performances in the next few months.
"We are meeting the coach to hear what went wrong and what needs to be done going forward," said Hoskins. "But again, he has our full backing."
Commenting on the CEO position, Hoskins said they hoped to make the appointment at Friday’s general council meeting in Cape Town, which will be attended by representatives of the 14 provincial unions and Saru’s presidency.
The top candidates to replace incumbent CEO Johan Prinsloo are only expected to be revealed at the meeting, as the application process was handled confidentially by an independent company, but Blue Bulls Rugby Union CEO Barend van Graan is believed to be the front runner for the position.
"The general council will meet on Friday where we will be presented with recommendations on who should be appointed," said Hoskins. "We have not been in contact with any of the company’s representatives, so the process will be very fair. Hopefully we will be able to finalise the process at the meeting."
Meanwhile, the Springboks suffered another setback yesterday with the announcement that lock Andries Bekker will have surgery. This comes after a recurrence of the back injury that resulted in him going to and fro from the Bok squad in the past two months. He is expected to sidelined for four months.
The surgery will rule him out of the three remaining Tri-Nations Tests and the year-end tour to the UK, meaning he will only be available for selection next season.
Bekker joins a few stars, including scrumhalf Fourie du Preez and flank Heinrich Brussow, who are nursing long-term injuries.
His absence will certainly not ease matters for De Villiers, who will also have to cope with the absence of lock Bakkies Botha for the entire Tri Nations home leg and centre Jaque Fourie for the first home Test against the All Blacks at Soccer City in three weeks, due to suspension.
Bekker’s absence, however, could be seen as a bonus for the team if one keeps an eye on the World Cup next year, as the long rest should benefit the player significantly.
Responding to questions about Bekker’s injury yesterday, Western Province coach Allister Coetzee said having surgery was in the player’s best interests. "This is the best decision for Andries," said Coetzee.
"He is one of our key players at Province and it will be good for his international career. He needs to get over the injury because it has been bothering him for a while.
"The good news is that he will be fresh and hungry to play when he gets back in four months."
newstime.co.za
28/07/2010
