Rugby: SA appoint Straeuli as coach

South Africa have appointed Rudolf Straeuli as their new coach.

The former Springbok, a member of the World Cup winning squad in 1995, replaces Harry Viljoen who quit in January.

Straeuli, the Natal Sharks coach, will take up his new post on April 1.

He has an impressive coaching pedigree, having had spells with Border before moving to England to coach Bedford.

He had to fight off the challenge from current Cardiff boss Rudy Joubert to take the coveted position, with the pair already announced as the two in contention.

Straeuli’s greatest successes have come with the Super 12 Sharks side and the Natal Sharks, who he lead to two successive Currie Cup finals.

The former Springbok, who was capped by his country 10 times between 1994 and 1995, also led the Sharks to the Super 12 final last season.

That made them the first South African side to contest the prize, but they eventually lost to Australian side ACT Brumbies.

SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd managing director Rian Oberholzer, announcing the appointment, said: ‘‘After a thorough selection process, the Board is convinced that Rudolf Straeuli has all the attributes required for this challenging and demanding position.’’