Mallett omitted from Springbok shortlist

Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett was omitted from a four-man shortlist for the vacant South Africa job today.

However, another former coach Andre Markgraaff was one of the quartet named as candidates for the post vacated by Rudolf Straeuli, who resigned after numerous scandals and a failed World Cup campaign this year.

Mallett’s name was not mentioned even though he has been touted by several major newspapers as the ideal candidate to follow in Straeuli’s footsteps and take the Springboks back to their former glory.

Straeuli was forced to resign after failing to get the Springboks past the quarter-finals in the World Cup.

He was further undermined by film footage of dubious training methods at the now infamous Kamp Staaldraad (Camp Steelwire) – where players were stripped naked, forced into a pit and doused with cold water while being forced to listen to the New Zealand Haka and British national anthem.

The new favourite is Chester Williams, who currently coaches the Springbok Sevens team, while Blue Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer and Border’s Dumasani Mhani are the other candidates.

The names were announced by new president Brian van Rooyen, who ensured that his quest for “representivity” was upheld with two black coaches among the four candidates.

Van Rooyen said: “A technical committee will interview the candidates and evaluate each of them and make a recommendation to the board on January 20.”