The problem area of defence in the Springbok team has finally been addressed, with Lions guru JP Ferreira seconded to the national side for the November tour to Europe.
SA Rugby announced on Thursday that Ferreira will be joined by Cheetahs head coach Franco Smith, who will assist Mzwandile Stick with the backline and skills, while Louis Koen will continue to help the kickers for the matches against the Barbarians, England, Italy and Wales.
Chean Roux has been relieved of his duties as the Bok defence coach and will ostensibly return to his primary role as part of Saru’s rugby department.
After conceding 26, 26 and 13 points in the first Test series of the year against Ireland with Jacques Nienaber in charge of the defence, things bottomed out on defence for the Boks against the All Blacks, where they leaked 41 in Christchurch and 57 in Durban.
There were also defensive lapses against Argentina home and away, and it appeared as if the Boks were unsure of whether to employ a rush or shift defence. But a lot of one-on-one tackles were also slipped, and it is hoped that Ferreira’s years of experience at the Lions will close those kinds of gaps.
However, despite reaching the Super Rugby final this year, the Lions conceded the most tries (42) out of the eight playoff teams during the league stages.
Smith was a creative flyhalf and inside centre in his playing days, and has revitalised the Cheetahs’ attack this season in Super Rugby and the Currie Cup.
“Both Franco and JP are experienced coaches at Super Rugby and Currie Cup level. They are both hard-working and well respected individuals. They will fit in well with the current management and I am convinced that they will add value,” Coetzee said in a statement on Thursday.
Before that, though, Smith will take charge of the Cheetahs team in Saturday’s Currie Cup final against the Blue Bulls in Bloemfontein.
Smith and Bulls coach Nollis Marais both attended the SA Rugby coaching indaba currently taking place in Newlands, which is where it was agreed that Smith and Ferreira would join the Boks for the upcoming tour.
Coetzee will name two squads – one of the Barbarians game on November 5 and another for the three Tests – on Saturday night after the conclusion of the Currie Cup final. The squad will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday.
“There have been a number of meetings with the Springbok coach following the Rugby Championship. His request was that he needed more expertise in certain areas. We have added to the management’s strength for this tour and the situation will be reassessed by the Springbok coach at the conclusion of the season,” SA Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux said.
“I’d like to thank the Cheetahs and Lions for their whole-hearted support of our request – which shows the spirit of collaboration that has been highlighted by the indaba.”
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