I’ve always had a problem with the South African rugby system, says Heyneke

PRETORIA: At Loftus he is regarded as the Messiah, but former Bulls and Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has ruled out returning in any coaching capacity to help the ailing Bulls team, even though he is open to assisting in an advisory role.

Beleaguered Bulls coach Nollis Marais has already tapped into the experience of Meyer, pictured, in a desperate effort to help turn around the fortunes of his team in Super Rugby.

In his previous life as Bulls coach, Meyer went through a similar patch to Marais and after being fired in 2002 and re-instated two years later, Meyer built a formidable Bulls unit that went on to become the first and only South African side to win Super Rugby in the professional era, in 2007.

While Meyer said he had been offering Marais words of encouragement and wisdom in the aftermath of the Bulls’ record home defeat to the Crusaders, he will not return to Loftus but believes the current crop of players can emulate what his 2007 side did in the coming years.

Meyer says he’s open to helping any team in SA and even though he is involved with some consultancy work with teams abroad, he remains committed to SA.

“I really enjoy what I’m doing now and I will always be available to help wherever I can. I believe that ex-national team coaches have learnt so much and when they are at their best, they get moved sideways,” said Meyer.

“There was a perception that I am in the rugby wilderness, but I’m getting opportunities all over the world. But I really want to stay in South Africa. Everybody is leaving South Africa and taking our intellectual property out, so wherever I can make a difference, I will.

“I’ve given Nollis some advice, but it is not easy because you have to be involved and give proper advice. I’ve spoken to (Springbok coach) Allister (Coetzee) as well and I want the Boks and every South African team to do well.”

Meyer, who coached the Boks to third place at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, says the system in the country needs to be fixed in order for SA coaches to thrive.

He believes the likes of former Springbok World Cup-winning coach Jake White, ex-Bok coach Peter de Villiers, ex-Cheetahs and Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus and ex-Sharks coach John Plumtree have proven to be competent coaches and South African rugby shouldn’t be caught up in the hype of wanting to court New Zealand coaches.

“We just always want to look at New Zealand coaches. If you look at Rassie, Jake and most of those coaches going overseas they are really successful. John Plumtree was never considered a great coach here, but now he goes to New Zealand and wins Super Rugby. What has changed? It is not the coach that has changed, it’s the system, and I’ve always had a problem with the system,” Meyer said.