Krige blasts De Villiers apponintment

Former South Africa captain Corne Krige has predicted “seven lean years” ahead for the Springboks after the appointment of Peter de Villiers as national-team coach.

Krige, speaking in his column Losgemaal (loose maul) in the South African Afrikaans paper Sondag, lambasted SA Rugby for the choice of De Villiers over Super 14-winning coach Heyneke Meyer.

The former Stormers, Northampton and Springbok flanker was surprised when he heard the choice of De Villiers over Meyer.

“I was in a meeting Wednesday and I saw a message on my phone from a good friend telling me about the appointment,” Krige wrote. “I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry.

“For me there was only one logical choice to succeed Jake White as Springbok coach and that was Heyneke Meyer.

“Let me put it this way: Coach A and coach B are up for a position. Coach A has won internationally at Under-21 level, but has no Currie Cup or Super 14 experience. He currently is helping out at Stellenbosch University.

“Coach B has three Currie Cup titles and a Super 14 title. Above this, 70% of the players in the country want him as coach. If you need to make a rugby decision, then it is logical that coach B is the answer.

“But if you need to make a political choice, then coach A is the answer.

“Coach A is Peter De Villiers and B Heyneke Meyer – this is precisely what happened this week.”