‘I’ve got a lot of respect for Allister’
JOHANNESBURG: Outgoing Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss is playing his cards close to his chest about what should be done to alleviate the woes of the national team and was cagey about whether Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is the right man to lead the side to the 2019 World Cup.
Strauss played his last Test for the Springboks in their 27-13 loss against Wales on Saturday and is adamant that he will voice his concerns about the side’s woeful season in the right forum.
However, Strauss sidestepped the issue surrounding Coetzee’s future even though he said that Coetzee is a competent coach and a good man.
Coetzee’s reign as Springbok coach has been dogged by the team dipping to new lows including a first home defeat to Ireland, a first loss to Argentina in South America, a record loss at the hands of arch rivals the All Blacks at home, a first-ever loss to Italy, a first defeat against England in a decade and a winless endof-year tour.
While Coetzee remained defiant when the team touched down on South African soil yesterday, it was Strauss’ lack of endorsement for Coetzee’s continued tenure that left more questions than answers on one of the Springboks worst seasons.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for coach Allister, he’s a really good coach. I had challenges this year and he had a lot more challenges. It was a tough job this year but we’ll have good discussions.
“I think he is an excellent coach, I think he is a very good man and I think in tough circumstances he did very well. We’ll have open discussions with him as players, management and Saru and I think that is the right way to do it. I think he is a great coach and a good man,” was all that Strauss was willing to say.