Future of Springboks coach Meyer to be decided in December: Saru

Future of Springboks coach Meyer to be decided in December: Saru

JOHANNESBURG - The future of under-fire Springboks World Cup coach Heyneke Meyer will be decided by the South African Rugby Union (Saru) on December 4, chief executive Jurie Roux announced Monday.

South Africa's head coach Heyneke Meyer looks on after winning the bronze medal match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between South Africa and Argentina at the Olympic Stadium, east London, on October 30, 2015

Although the national team improved on a quarter-finals exit from the 2011 World Cup by finishing third in England last Friday, there has been strong public and media criticism of the coach.

Jake White did not have his contract as South Africa coach renewed despite winning the 2007 World Cup and Peter de Villiers, the first black Springboks coach, was axed after a quarter-finals exit four years ago.

Detractors say Meyer used outdated, obsessively physical tactics and never met transformation targets during a year in which the national team lost five of 11 Tests.

The defeats included a sensational 34-32 World Cup group loss to second-tier rugby nation Japan -- the biggest shock in the 29-year history of the global showpiece.

South Africa recovered to reach the semi-finals before losing 20-18 to eventual champions New Zealand.

The Springboks this year also lost to Argentina for the first time, failing 37-25 in a Rugby Championship game in Durban.

An agreement between Saru and the South African sports ministry set Meyer a target of choosing at least seven black players in each 23-man matchday squad.

But Meyer never reached the target and his use of three black starters in key World Cup matches meant there was no change from four years ago.

Ninety percent of South Africans are black.

Meyer has dismissed the growing criticism, insisting he should be given another four-year contract, and reacting to allegations of racial bias against blacks players by saying he "sleeps with a clear conscience".

Saru said in a statement that the contracts of Meyer, other coaches and medical and logistical staff expire at the end of this year.

“The executive council has the power to appoint management and coaching staff with the exception of the position of the Springbok coach, which is ultimately decided by the general council of Saru,” said Roux.

“That body meets on December 4 when the position of the Springbok coach for 2016 will be on the agenda.

"Once all affected individuals have been notified of any decisions, a public announcement will be made, which is not expected before December 5.

“We realise the great public interest in the subject and this is easily one of the most important decisions we take as an organisation.

"Supporters will understand, therefore, that we have many factors to consider before any announcements can be made.

"Those deliberations cannot take place in public out of respect for individuals and our governance structures,” said Roux

Should Meyer be dumped, New Zealand-born former Coastal Sharks coach John Plumtree is the favourite at evens with a leading local bookmaking firm to take over.

Another New Zealander, South Africa-based former Golden Lions coach John Mitchell is second favourite at 5-2 followed by ex-Springboks handler Nick Mallett (5-1).

Japan-based South African Allister Coetzee (8-1), 2015 Currie Cup-winning Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann (10-1) and Western Province rugby director Gert Smal (16-1) come next.

White, now coaching French Top 14 outfit Montpellier, is a 33-1 shot.

No foreigner has coached the Springboks since they were readmitted to Test rugby in 1992 after apartheid-induced isolation.

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