Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Coetzee’s Bok calamities come back to bite him
Saru and coach finally part ways after two turbulent seasons for national team
IT will have come as no surprise to Allister Coetzee, the rugby fraternity and rugby fans across the country that Saru made the decision yesterday to end their unhappy marriage with the former Stormers coach.
Too much had happened in the past two years for Coetzee to continue at the helm of the national team and that explosive letter by him to Saru CEO Jurie Roux, which was conveniently leaked to the media last week, would have been the fatal blow.
It was the contents of that letter which best epitomised Coetzee’s short stay at the top – from the shambolic manner in which Saru conducts itself, especially their elected administrators, to how inept Coetzee was when needing to stand on his own two feet.
The truth of the matter is that Saru never appeared to give Coetzee their full backing and his late appointment and forced backroom staff was a clear sign of an employer giving their employee enough rope to hang themselves.
Probably out of desperation to be Springbok coach, just like his predecessors, Coetzee made his first error by accepting the job on Saru’s terms and then found himself juggling the prickly pear of Springbok rugby.
The Springboks woes in 2016 were certainly not just because of Coetzee. In the aftermath of losing their first Test to Ireland on South African soil, losing to Argentina in South America for the first time, losing to the All Blacks by a record score on home soil and that maiden loss to Italy, Coetzee should have cleaned house.
Up until then, most of the rugby public will have had a lot of sympathy for Coetzee considering the hospital pass he had been given.
The disaster of 2016 should have been the stick that Coetzee beat Saru with.
But Coetzee didn’t stand up for himself, his team and the country when he was required to show that he is indeed the captain of his ship.
And while Saru conceded to Coetzee’s requests of having camps during Super Rugby, it was Coetzee who dragged his feet on naming his captain and rewarding players who showed good form.
Coetzee failed to take accountability for the position he held and when the time presented itself for him to take the Springboks to the “Promised Land” by making Siya Kolisa the captain, Coetzee went for what he considered to be a safe bet in Eben Etzebeth.
That was on the eve of the third and last Test against France with the series already won and so there was nothing for Coetzee to be fearful of.
Instead of embracing the moment of naming the first black Springbok captain, Coetzee not only infuriated his employers and many diehard rugby fans but he also lost “black” support and ultimately the political backing that is crucial to staying in the job.
The fact that the Boks were playing what looked like a defensive game-plan, a hallmark of Coetzee’s teams while at the Stormers and Western Province, did not endear him further to the masses.
And it did not help Coetzee that the Boks would again find themselves the butt of all jokes after their record defeats to the All Blacks and Ireland.
Then there was the shocking decisions that saw replacements Chiliboy Ralepelle and Rudy Paige not get any game time in the home Tests against Australia and the All Blacks, further fanning the fires of discontent within the team and from the fans.
Losing to Ireland had noth-
Jurie Roux”
Herman (@HermanLions70) “Good now get rid of all the administrators that stuffed up Sa rugby slowly but surely over last number of years”
Brendan Venter (@ BrendanVenter)
“Good thing SA rugby and Allister could come to an agreement which both parties are happy with.”
JudgeRugby (@JudgeRugby) “AC has parted ways with Bok Rugby ing to do with the players’ unhappiness about flying economy class via Doha, as Coetzee stated in his letter.
It had everything to do with the Springboks delusions that they had made progress in their one point loss to the All
but as with the sacking of HM we now wait to see the plan and who is going to try and rectify things, or, will we just further destroy this beautiful game with poor planning, people and politics...?”
Mario (@Mario28752665)
“It has got nothing to do with AC. He did his best.
The cancer is #Saru themselves. They failed to keep Springbok talent at home. Insignificant talent development etc.”
Neels Redelinghuys (@ Blacks and a failure to plan adequately for a team Coetzee knew was favourites to beat his Boks.
What transpired in the games against Italy and Wales mirrored the sad tale that the Springboks had become, an
neelred)
“Regardless of what I think about
AC’s sacking, I’m concerned that we enter another “new era” with no constructive succession plan in place. Or is there? Hope I’m wrong, but I fear we can expect more-of-the-same for the next year or so. Forever doomed to rebuild...? #Springboks”
The-insider (@DarkdogZA) “Great news now when is the board going to resign?”
osvvukile (@osvmadlula) “This was long over due. Besides unimaginative side failing to acknowledge their self-made disasters.
While it is certainly fair to wonder whether Saru ever really wanted Coetzee as coach, Coetzee must also take his share of the blame.
the issue of him not getting support from SARU the man is not moving us anywhere. We need new leadership and new players like yesterday”
Gushwell Brooks (@ GushwellBrooks)
“was excited when #AllisterCoetzee was announced as the #SpringbokCoach, especially after Meyer’s tight 5 style of play that led to us losing to Japan in the World Cup, but Geez have the last 2 years been bad!? Hopefully we can actually challenge the All Blacks with a new coach”
He cannot get away from winning just 11 out of 25 Tests, the lack of a creative and competitive playing style and unfortunately the absence of bravery to change the face of the Springbok team with the players at his disposal. Lauren Terras (@Laurenterras) “Still blows my mind that a #Springbokcoach thinks they will come out the ride unscathed. Hope the next sucker reads #ThePoisonChalice prior to signing #AllisterCoetzee”
Lawrence Dube (@ DubeLawrence)
“With absolute respect to Rassie, can @Springboks just hire a foreign perhaps New Zealand coach after Allister Coetzee. Our rugby needs to catch up allround at every level @ SARugbymag”