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Former Bok captain Morn� du Plessis welcomed the appointment of Heyneke Meyer as the national coach.

Former Bok captain Morné du Plessis welcomed the appointment of Heyneke Meyer as the national coach, saying that the former Blue Bulls supremo would bring stability to the job.

“He is definitely the best we have got, and I think he will do well,” Du Plessis said in London, where he was attending last night’s Laureus World Sports Awards.

“Heyneke has a great track record, and he is also very methodical in his approach to the game,” Du Plessis continued.

He also added that Meyer was coming into the job in a slightly easier position than his colourful predecessor, Peter de Villiers.

“He comes in at a time of rebuilding, where he can take the team forward. Peter, on the other hand, took over a World Cup winning team, and it was almost impossible to get better from there.”

While acknowledging that Meyer has a clutch of experienced players, as well as promising youngsters to choose from, Du Plessis added that he would have his challenges.

“I expect him to be there for a very long time but, as we know, being a coach in South Africa is a very precarious pastime.

“He will need the support of his franchises, and get the players to play his game,” he added.

One of Meyer’s first key decisions will be picking his captain.

Stormers and Western Province flank Schalk Burger has already been pencilled in as a leading the candidate.

“Schalk would do a very good job, I’m sure, but nothing has been announced yet. Saying that, he is very experienced, and has done great work at the Stormers.”

Former French back-rower Serge Betsen agreed that Burger would be an ideal candidate, pointing out that it was no coincidence that several of world rugby’s skippers were in the loose trio.

“It’s obviously a position that requires you to be in constant communication with your front five, and your backs,” Betsen mused.

“Guys like Richie McCaw and Thierry Dusautoir have done great work, leading from the front, and even Sam Warburton for Wales. It’s a key position, for sure.”

The Springboks will have their first assignment in June, when the they face England in a three-match Test series, but they will be eager to put a tumultuous 2011 behind them, and build towards the expanded Rugby Championship, which will include Argentina this year.

“It’s great for world rugby that Argentina are involved, and that will surely improve their game,” former Kiwi captain Sean Fitzpatrick pointed out.

“They have always competed well at World Cups, but regular competition like this will make them even stronger.”

Fitzpatrick also welcomed the introduction of rugby at the next Olympics in 2016.

“Sevens has been great, and it’s exciting that they have now added it to the Olympic roster. It has been huge in terms of taking the game to the smaller countries.” - The Star