WALES V SOUTH AFRICA: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26 (5.30PM)
Allister Coetzee Took charge in April amid claims he was inheriting the toughest job in world rugby. The demands upon the coach of the Springboks are almost as high as those of the coach of New Zealand.
Just look at these words from Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula upon Coetzee’s appointment.
“South Africans are not very loyal. If you get beaten by the Irish, we are going to start digging up things we never knew about you.”
As far as encouragement from high up goes, it was certainly different.
Coetzee did lose his first game too, even though Ireland were down to 14 men for most of the match after CJ Stander was red-carded.
Should be pointed out, mind, he was assistant to Jake White when South Africa won the 2007 World Cup. So there is decent pedigree there. Despite seeming to be in a state of flux, the Springboks did finish third in the World Cup and only lost to New Zealand by two points.
Since then their record reads: Played nine, won four lost five. They were thrashed 57-15 at home to New Zealand last time out, so they hardly come to Europe on a high. Fourth, one place ahead of Wales. Eben Etzebeth is up there with Brodie Retallick as perhaps the best lock in the world. The ‘Beast’ Tendai Mtawarira remains a cult figure while captain Adriaan Strauss is a hard-working hooker. In other words, the front five. Surprise surprise. Some feel new coach Coetzee has his hands tied by the racial quota system which has been imposed on him, with half of his squad having to be made up of non-white players by the time of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
They have already started to implement the policy and not being able to pick his side on merit means he hasn’t being able to field their strongest match-day 23. Veteran Bryan Habana is still giving everything on the wing and has a good record against Wales. Could be his last game in Cardiff. If so, he’ll be looking to go out on a high. Definitely. Then again, we felt that in the World Cup quarter-final... and sadly we know what happened there.