Coetzee running out of patience

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is seemingly at his wits end ahead of their Rugby Championship clash against the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld. EPA/Gavin Barker

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is seemingly at his wits end ahead of their Rugby Championship clash against the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld. EPA/Gavin Barker

Published Sep 27, 2016

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Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is seemingly at his wits end and change is coming to his side ahead of their Rugby Championship clash against the Wallabies at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Never one to lose his cool in the full glare of the media or speak ill of his playing personnel, Coetzee gave the first indication yesterday that his patience had run out with a handful of players in his squad.

Coetzee has been loyal to many underperforming players but there has been no reciprocation forthcoming from the players. Instead the Springboks are on a three-match losing run and in danger of finishing bottom of the competition for the second year running.

After the rugby lesson handed to them in Christchurch by the All Blacks, it became abundantly clear to Coetzee that he could no longer continue in the same way.

“What is important to understand is that the players get confidence from the fact that it is the same 31, bar Willie le Roux, that are still involved here. There is no one new coming from the outside or coming back into the group and that should give them confidence,” said Coetzee.

“I said after the New Zealand game that there will be consequences and, yes, we will make changes for this weekend. And of course we will have a different plan against Australia and improve on the way we want to play. We were in the game right up until the end and we had numerous opportunities to get the seven pointer but we came up short and didn’t get it. I’m pretty optimistic about the improvement that I’ve seen on tour.”

Late yesterday Coetzee delivered the first blow of the guillotine on centre Damian de Allende, hooker Malcolm Marx and wing Lwazi Mvovo, who have been released to their respective Currie Cup sides.

Next on the chopping block is likely to be flyhalf Elton Jantjies - Patrick Lambie looks to be the man that Coetzee will hand the No 10 jersey to.

It is not that Jantjies has been woeful since replacing Lambie but the Lions pivot has hardly enjoyed getting the ball on the front foot and his erratic kicking, be it tactically or for poles, has also loosened his grip on the position.

Said Coetzee: “The kicking execution hasn’t been good. I showed the players that is one area that we are not dominating and that ineffective kicking puts our defence under massive stress.”

Coetzee could persist with his midfield of Juan de Jongh and Jesse Kriel with Lionel Mapoe being a possible benchwarmer due to his ability to also play on the wing.

With Le Roux back in the squad after sitting out the initial part of the Championship due to injury, Coetzee could find himself opting for the experience of the fleet-footed Canon Eagles-based player over fullback Johan Goosen.

At the same time Coetzee will toy with the idea of bringing back to the starting XV the now fit again Julian Redelinghuys at tighthead prop where the Boks have looked unsteady with Vincent Koch and Lourens Adriaanse.

Lood de Jager is fit and raring to go and Coetzee is almost certain to return to his original lock combination with De Jager starting alongside Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit coming off the bench.

Coetzee wants to believe that his team will show improvement on defence and that under-fire defence coach Chean Roux will conjure up a plan that will keep the Wallabies at bay.

“We have to improve massively and drastically and I’m sure we will ... I think we’ll be better, it is bits and pieces in getting better but it is also the kick chase that is not good enough, especially, when we have tight forwards defending alongside each other against great steppers and runners. I’m confident that we will get it right. There is definitely more clarity in terms of roles and responsibilities.”

The Star

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