Decision on new South Africa coach edges closer

THE task of finding a new South Africa rugby coach shifted up a gear yesterday when the first two candidates for the vacant position were interviewed by the country’s rugby bosses.

The favourite for the position, former Bulls boss Heyneke Meyer, and South African Under-21 coach Peter de Villiers were subjected to lengthy interviews. The other two candidates — Allister Coetzee and Chester Williams — will be interviewed today.

Meyer appears to be the first choice candidate to get the job after his successful six-year term with the Bulls, which saw them lift the southern hemisphere inter-provincial Super 14 crown last season.

The Bulls also won four domestic Currie Cup titles while Meyer was in charge. He resigned as the Bulls’ coach in the latter stages of last year.

De Villiers has also got an impressive CV after leading the national Under-21 team to the world championship title last year, while many, including World Cup winning coach White, believe Coetzee is the man for the job.

He played a critical role in the Springbok side over the last four years, culminating in the team winning the World Cup in France in October last season.

Williams is the outsider after failing to make any kind of impact in the game once he’d hung up his playing boots.

He was, however, a very successful winger in his day, winning a gold medal at the 1995 World Cup, while he also achieved plenty of success as national Sevens coach.

The Boks coaching position became vacant at the end of last year when White opted not to re-apply for the position.

South African Rugby Union (Saru) boss Oregan Hoskins admitted: “It is crucial that we appoint the right man ... this is a critical week for SA rugby.”

The committee interviewing the four candidates will submit their recommendation to Saru’s main decision-making body, the Presidents Council, tomorrow for approval.

While the new Bok boss is expected to be known by Friday, the Presidents Council could announce White’s successor tomorrow.

Meanwhile, France winger Vincent Clerc is backing Christophe Dominici to end his rugby career on a high after hearing of his compatriot’s decision to quit the international stage.

Dominici announced this weekend that he was ending his Les Bleus career with immediate effect.

“He has had a great career,” said Clerc. “But he perhaps wants to concentrate on his club form from now on. It is a great international player who is going into retirement.

“But he still has a lot of great things to achieve and he is going to set himself new objectives.”