SA rugby’s common goal

SPRINGBOK coach Allister Coetzee says South Africans are “thumb-sucking” if they believe that South Africa is the best rugby nation in the world.

Coetzee was speaking on the first day of the two-day coaching indaba hosted by SA Rugby in Cape Town yesterday, where a number of rugby figures gathered to try and find a solution to the country’s rugby crisis.

The Springboks have had a nightmare year, losing five out of nine Tests, including defeats to Ireland and Argentina, and a record 57-15 hiding at the hands of the All Blacks.

At the indaba, facilitated by Brendan Venter and Pieter Kruger, Coetzee emphasised the importance of a national strategy between Super Rugby coaches and the Springboks.

“I think we are living in our own little kingdoms, and we are hoping, and we are thumb-sucking, that we are the best rugby nation in world rugby.

“I would like to take a look at what we’d like to get out of our indaba, just the vision – striving for rugby excellence and continuous improvement, enabling us to become the top rugby nation. We aren’t, we are not the top rugby nation.

“There must be alignment between the Springboks and the Super Rugby coaches, and vice versa, in identifying technical shortcomings that impact on the performances of all our teams.

“It is also important to discuss and share contemporary trends, opportunities and ultimately a common philosophy so that we can ensure continuous improvement and have an agreement on how to identify and address these shortcomings,” Coetzee said.

Because players spend great periods with their franchises and about only 18 weeks with the national set-up, Coetzee further elaborated on the importance of cohesion between Super Rugby coaches and the Springboks.

“How long does it take to form a habit? How long does it take to form a skill, or implement a skill under pressure? Therefore, alignment is important. We cannot be successful without you guys sitting here.

“When our Super Rugby teams do well, look at our ranking as a national team. I was part of the 2007 era, where we won the World Cup and had 22 of the 31 players from the two Super Rugby finalist teams (Bulls and Sharks). It’s a clear parallel – Super Rugby, franchises, Springboks, we have to work hand in glove.’

Interim Saru president Mark Alexander said that he hoped that the Indaba would be the beginning of a new chapter in SA rugby.

“Hopefully, in a few years’ time, we will look back at this with a sense of achievement.”