Heyneke Meyer has been in the Springbok job for a week and in this time he’s said all the right things and ticked all the right boxes. Here, he speaks about what he thinks about transformation, the Bok captaincy and a whole lot more.

 

 

 ... on the hottest seat in SA sport

 

 

I’ve received overwhelming support since being named coach ... and that’s been quite humbling. I know the South African fans are very passionate and I’m going to do my best to not disappoint them. I know what lies ahead for me and I know there are going to be tough times. I’m realistic about the challenges. There will be bad days, but I know if I surround myself with the right people there is no reason why the Springboks can’t be successful.

 

 

 ... on finding common ground with the Super Rugby coaches

 

 

I’m going to go out there and meet all the coaches and the players and share my vision with them. I know how much pressure all the Super Rugby teams are under and having a three-week break towards the end of the competition (to accommodate the England series) doesn’t help anyone. But we need to find a win-win situation for everyone, the Boks and the Super Rugby teams. I will never dictate to any coach who they must pick, but that doesn’t mean I can’t pick who I want. The players are our most important asset.

 

 

 ... on the overseas-based Boks

 

 

I want to go over some time and speak to these guys one-on-one. There are quality players playing in Europe and other places and I need to find out from them where they stand in relation to Bok rugby. The positive for the Boks is that the next World Cup is in England and the South Africans there know the conditions so well. If we can make use of those guys, and it’s to our advantage, then we must do so. 

 

 

... on captaincy

 

 

Every team has at least five leaders in its midst so whoever I name captain will be in the team on merit. One guy can’t make such a big difference if he’s not there ... every team has someone who leads the scrums, the line-outs, defence etc. The captain is only one part of the team and, anyway, everyone knows exactly what is required of them when they run on to the field. That said, my captain must be an extension of my personality ... he must be astute, knowledgeable and have plenty of character. He needs to have integrity and he needs to set the example on and off the field.

 

 

... on transformation

 

 

I’m very committed to transformation and we’re all a part of it and need to work together. The fact is there are definitely players good enough to make the Bok team on merit, but more than that we need to give youngsters at lower levels an opportunity to develop and come through the system. There are some great players out there ... but it’s not up to me to tell the Super Rugby coaches who they must select. What I do want to do though is identify a couple of youngsters and get them into the system so that in two years’ time they’re “right” for Test rugby.

 

 

 ... on the condition of the Boks

 

 

Conditioning-wise we need to take a big step-up. We’re going to have to work closely with the Super Rugby franchises and ensure it’s a win-win for all.

 

 

The season is longer, there are more games, the ball is in play longer and more games are being settled in the final 10 minutes. To achieve success at a higher level you need athletic players and the condition of our players is concerning ... but it’s something we can rectify. It’s a long season, yes, but I don’t want excuses ... I want mentally tough players who’re ready to play when they pull that jersey on.

 

 

 ... on the Bok style

 

 

We must remember that the more things change in rugby the more they stay the same ... the basics will always be there.

 

 

I study the game a lot and what I’ve discovered is that the game is changing every six months. A lot of adaptation is needed.

 

 

If you don’t adapt to the laws and the styles you’re going to be left behind. But South Africa has its own style and we mustn’t move too far away from our strengths. Opposition teams respect what we’re good at and we must stick to doing what we do well.

 

 

 ... on the rugby rankings

 

 

Obviously we want to be the best in the world. Right now we’re fourth and that’s not good enough. It’s not going to change overnight, but importantly we must build a legacy and ensure continuity so that whoever gets the job after me can take the team further. I don’t believe in four-year cycles, we must go out there and win every match. We’ve got great players in this country and talented youngsters too, but we mustn’t be arrogant and say we’re the best. New Zealand have dominated at junior level for some time and they’re also World Champions.

 

 

We haven’t won an U-19 or U-21 title in some time. We’re in a good state but there’s a lot of work that needs to be done to be a world class team again.

 

 

 ... on how he’d like to be remembered in four years time

 

 

A World Cup is obviously important, but tournament rugby can go either way. I’d like to be judged on the difference I made in people’s lives, on how I took rugby to the people. I want to bring pride back to the jersey. I’d like to walk off with my head held high and with my integrity intact. I know there’s going to be pressure to deliver on many fronts. I also know I’m going to give it my best. – The Star

 

 

Correction: Heyneke Meyer did not speak exclusively to The Star. These quotes were taken from a press conference. IOL apologises for the confusion.