The power behind the Bok throne

Heinz Schenk

After the doom and gloom, rugby fans are suddenly a bit more optimistic about the future direction of Springbok rugby. It’s amazing what the appointment of a respected coach in Franco Smith and the prospect of another in Brendan Venter can do to morale.

But this week’s news is actually no cause for celebration.

If anything, it’s an indictment on how pitifully the South African Rugby Union (Saru) has handled the Bok team management issue over the past year.

Now there’s no point debating the timing of Allister Coetzee’s appointment last year – it’s done.

It’s also no use wondering about whether he was a suitable candidate for the job.

After all, he was Jake White’s assistant in the national side for four years and a reasonably successful head coach of the Stormers.

Saru needed to take the leap of faith, even if Coetzee has proved himself to be a dodgy candidate.

We wouldn’t have known if they hadn’t appointed him. Things have changed now. Coetzee is not the man really to take Springbok rugby forward.

Some might argue that men like Johann van Graan and Mzwandile Stick, his deputies, were forced on him by Saru.

This is true. But it’s still not a mitigating factor.

In fact, it only places Coetzee in a poorer light.

What better way to show your coaching ability than to achieve success in spite of having inexperienced assistants?

Coetzee hasn’t done that. He merely looked as indecisive as the rest of his coaching staff.

Smith and Venter will no doubt add value to the Springboks. They’re experienced and sharp.

However, here’s the thing: they’re pretty much their own men.

And given how strong their personalities and ideas are, you have to wonder how that will impact on Coetzee.

Will their influence suddenly bring out the best in Coetzee? Highly doubtful.

It’s far more likely that they’ll actually be the brains behind the Boks and Coetzee will be head coach in name only. That’s no good for his legacy.

More importantly though, why the hell did it take Saru so long to do this?

Nothing has changed in Saru’s operations. If anything, they have less money and less leverage than last year.

Why couldn’t they have taken the plunge earlier?