At long last, a Springbok coach has been appointed!
The all-powerful General Council of SA Rugby finally ratified the “preferred candidate”, believed to be Allister Coetzee, as the new Bok coach at a special general council meeting in Newlands on Friday morning.
The meeting was originally set to take place after the SA Rugby annual general meeting, but occurred before the AGM instead.
SA Rugby president Oregan Hoskins said that the new Bok coach will be unveiled at a press conference on April 12 after the General Council completed the “final step in the constitution process” to make the appointment.
This comes after the high performance committee comprising of Pat Kuhn, Kevin de Klerk, Francois Davids and James Stoffberg made a recommendation on the preferred candidate to the SA Rugby Executive Council, who also approved the candidate.
But it was up to the General Council to make the final decision. “We are happy to have reached this point and are particularly excited with our final choice,” Hoskins said.
“Today’s ratification triggers the final part of the process. We’re looking forward to being able to confirm our choice publicly.”
Hoskins: Want to appoint Black coaches,I am confident person we have in mind (can do well) @TheCapeArgus @TheWeekendArgus @IOLsport #SaruAGM
— IndyCapeSport (@IndyCapeSport) April 1, 2016
Hoskins said in a press conference after the AGM that the new coach will receive a four-year contract, up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Hoskins #SpringbokCoach assistants,very important to look at representivity in that regard @TheCapeArgus @TheWeekendArgus @IOLsport #SaruAGM
— IndyCapeSport (@IndyCapeSport) April 1, 2016
In addition, Peter Jooste has been retained as a Springbok selector, with the rest of the team management to be announced on April 12 as well. Independent Media understands that Johann van Graan will continue as the Bok forwards coach.
The AGM rubberstamped the financial statements and annual report, while Pat Kuhn and Tobie Titus were unopposed in an election to remain on the Saru Executive Council.
It was also the final AGM for long-serving SA Rugby company secretary Dr Ismail Jakoet, 67, who will be retiring after more than 40 years in rugby.
@IndyCapeSport - Independent Media