Coetzee in the firing line as Rassie waits in the wings

RASSIE Erasmus is set to take up the reins as Springboks coach Allister Coetzee faces the axe after a disappointing two-year tenure.

Coetzee could learn his fate this week as SA Rugby conducts its review of the season, and the overall tenure of Coetzee, which has yielded a poor 44 percent win-record.

Although Coetzee has defiantly insisted that the Boks have made improvements from the horror season last year, the fact remains that this year has seen the Boks manage just seven wins, while drawing two games and losing four.

It’s believed that SA Rugby could finally show Coetzee the door as Erasmus conducts a season review along with a technical committee this week.

Present his case

Although the general and executive councils of SA Rugby met in Cape Town last week, Coetzee’s position was not on the agenda, but he will now have an opportunity to present his case to continue as the Boks’ head coach for another year.

Coetzee’s contract runs until the 2019 World Cup, but he has failed to achieve the 65 percent win target that is said to be part of his performance clause.

The powers-that-be are now expected to have run out of patience with Coetzee, who could be redistributed into a different role at the very least.

Whatever the case, Erasmus is set to effectively assume control in his role as the South African director of rugby.

It’s believed that Erasmus will have the major say when it comes to the Boks’ style of play and selection decisions.

Besides the anticipated exit of Coetzee, his assistant coaches are also expected to be shown the door, with Erasmus’s right-hand man, Jacques Nienaber, also likely to take up a more active role with the Boks.

By all accounts, Coetzee’s fate appears set to be sealed before Christmas, which many observers will view as an early present.

ANA