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Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
Former Bulls Director of Rugby, Heyneke Meyer, was on Friday officially named Springbok coach.
Meyer, who signed a four-year contract, takes over from Peter de Villiers, who led the Springboks from 2008 to 2011.
There was speculation over whether Meyer would be released from his contract at the Bulls, but the South African Rugby Union (Saru) successfully negotiated that hurdle to get the man they headhunted.
Meyer coached the Bulls when they became the first South African team to liftthe Super 14 trophy in 2007. He was also at the helm when they won the Currie Cup in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006.
His appointment to the Boks was ratified at a Saru meeting on Friday morning.
Said Meyer: “ I want to thank the Blue Bulls family for what they have done for me... I wanted to be the Springbok coach for all the people out there.
Meyer has yet to name his support team and captain.
“I would like to pick the best possible Springbok team. To name a captain now will be too early.”
“For now I am focused on preparing the team for the Test match.”
Meyer spoke of the consultation process he has already started and hopes to continue as he navigates his way through the new job. He is no stranger to the Springbok environment, however, having served as assistant coach to both Nick Mallett and Harry Viljoen in the past.
“I've spoken to many former players and coaches around the world and I hope to speak to Peter (de Villiers) and other coaches who have been in the job to get some advice.
“I will make mistakes. I'm human... I will use all my resources out there. And I hope to take the game to the people. That's very important.”
The former Bulls coach has been in rugby for many years and spokeof the advantages of knowing the players in the system.
“I have taken youngsters to the Bulls and been to every schools tournament possible. I know every single player coming through the system so that will definitely work to my advantage as I start building the Bok team.”- IOL
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Mike C, wrote
@Jon The time has now come for people like you to forget about the past.Look to the future.Stop the negativity my friend PDV was not soley responsable for what happend.You and othercomment writers are starting to sound like a stuck LP record.Lets look ahead for prosperity in Bok land.Thi colour thing is depressing.WE, all of us need to be more tollerent.
Anonymous, wrote
From today on, me and my family will watch all Bokke rugby matches as well as all Super Rugby matches. I feel confident about this Meyer guy. He's up for the job. SA will again be united behind our Bokke. To all the black racists out there: I AM A BLACK GUY and my family is Black SA. We've been supporting the All Blacks because they've been playing the best rugby. But now time has come for us to do the right thing = to support our own.
Anonymous, wrote
Four years ago it was: we're World Cup Champions, how much can we weaken ourselves. Oh, okay, let's appoint someone who's never coached at senior level, instead of picking the only coach to have one the Super Rugby tournament for South Africa and acknowledged by all rugby people to be the best. And Regan says nothing about his tragic error, and with this irresponsibility, gets to keep his job.
Solly, wrote
Eugene, wrote
Firstly, I want to say to all you people that are continually throwing the RACE CARD up "YOU SHOULD ALL BE GIVEN A RED CARD FOR RACISM". Secondly, I wish Heyneke Meyer congratulations on getting the post. Good luck for the future and chose your team on merit please.
Paul Nyirenda, Malawi, wrote
Sir Icecold, wrote
Everybody says Saru made the right choice now only ,I say lets see if we are going to play running rugby or the old bulls game of kick and chase that failed over the last season.For me it comes down to the choice he makes at flyhalf. Does he chose a solid play maker with flare or a kicking flyhalf that has only the abilty to kick for the corners & play the kick & chase game.Because that game plan will fail against the All Black it has failed & it will always fail.penalties win you games tries when you tournaments
Ronni, wrote
Wishing Heyneke Meyer all the best for the coaching job. It is not an easy job, we all know what previous coaches have had to go through and Heyneke's 4 year spell will also have it's ups and downs. Do your best, keep SA proud:)
Dave, wrote
I'm a blind person, so black or white is irrelevant.....I just want our guys to do well.
KIWI, wrote
Anonymous, in future please remove your white and black phrases from your comments. Rugby is no longer the sport of the whites only. Get behind your coach and support him wether hi is black, yellow or white. Give him a sporting chance. And all of you singing his praises today, I hope you will abstain from being over critical when he sometimes fail or make mistakes. Personally I think he is the right man for the job. on the other hand, Matfield's remarks quoted earlier this week in an Afrikaans newspaper confirmed my suspicions about his(Matfield's) loyalty or lack thereof to former Bok Coach PDV.
Tlhokaina, wrote
Victor Matfield said he will go out of retirement if H Meyer is appointed Boks coach. So he will be the one.
MOTSIE, wrote
Smokie, wrote
Carlo, don't need supporters like you anyway. PDV got the job because SARU thought he was the best man for the job. Same goes for HM. Go Bokke!!!
Anonymous, wrote
Black or White some people have lost focus - "THE GAME KNOWS NO COLOUR" its win or loose not black or white!!!
Jacq, wrote
@Carlo - get over yourself. PdV was just a useless coach who was way out of his depth & he told us to judge him on the world cup which anyone with 12 a brain cell could see that hell was more likely to freeze over than the Boks winning the Wc with PdV's "expertise". His colour had absolutely zero to do with it - if he had made good decisions (like NOT appointing JSmit as captain) we would have all been more convinced that he knew what he was doing.
Anonymous, wrote
firstly congrats to Meyer, secondly what mess did PDV leave behind? please explain. And PDV didn't loose the world cup Mike Greenaway, if i remember correctly it was Bryce Lawrence that gave the All Blacks the world cup and he was punished for it and still is and thats why he's not going to ref any games in SA this year.
Anonymous, wrote
BJ, wrote
@Carlo I laugh at people like you. You call whites ignorant and you the one bringing in race!!Do you honestly think that people were not happy with PDV because of his race?? It's rubbish and you know it! As with other 'white' coaches in the past he lost the job because he was not good enough! At least we support our country whoever coaches the team or plays in it! Support the All Blacks - that is your choice - but you will never know the feeling of true pride when you support something that is yours - your own country! Get over yourself!! Go Bokke!
Letetia, wrote
Ag man - Stop this biggering about Black & White - GROW UP!! all of you - It is about Knowlegde, expertese and experience - and really there is not many experienced rugby fundies to choose from- especially experienced and the knack to be able to coach. Heyneke Meyer - has been chosen with much planning and disccusions by the Black and White SARU Top Commitee. Let Heyneke show his worth before you condem!!! Lets be a rugby family and not enemies!! HA!
Anonymous, wrote
Congratulations to HM, we all know that he is a special person in the Rugby world. Must say, SA seems completely at peace following his appointment. What a sigh of relieve "White SA" gave. Well done SARU and lets forget the past & concentrate on the future. Proudly SA
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