No CEO in the business world would have survived the Springboks’ equivalent of 2016. Shareholders would have demanded resignations. The Springboks are sold as a global brand and rugby in SA is a profession. But there is no integrity in the leadership. SA Rugby president Mark Alexander’s only public uttering to the Springboks record defeat against the All Blacks in Durban was to promote the virtues of a national coaching indaba aimed at supporting coach Allister Coetzee’s disastrous debut season. Ironically, the only former national coaches called to provide counsel were also the only two in SA’s history to concede 50 plus points against the All Blacks. Peter de Villiers, whose Springboks beat the All Blacks three times in succession in 2009, was not invited. Jake White, also victorious against the All Blacks and a winner of the 2004 Tri Nations and 2007 Rugby World Cup, was not invited. White publicly stated he was available to provide whatever assistance and that he was only a phon...

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