SA Rugby is sticking with coach Coetzee despite worst test year for Boks
Despite the worst year in the test history of the Boks, SA Rugby has decided to keep coach Allister Coetzee at the helm, but with extra support
SA Rugby has decided to retain beleaguered Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee after a review of the 2016 test history, the worst to date. The Springboks suffered a number of unwanted firsts last year, including a home defeat by Ireland and a loss in Italy, as well as an embarrassing 57-15 hammering at the hands of New Zealand in Durban. SA Rugby said on Monday that Coetzee would stay at the helm, but there would be changes in his technical team with assistant coach Mzwandile Stick dropping out to work with the national Under-20 side and the addition of Cheetahs coach Franco Smith permanently. Smith is much admired in SA and will work with the backs as he did towards the end of 2016. Johann van Graan and Matthew Proudfoot remain among the assistants. It is reported widely that Boks are on the hunt for a specialist defence coach and have been in talks with former Bok Brendan Venter, who has a contract with Italy in the same role until 2019. SA Rugby said that position remained open...
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