Theron takes Baby Boks reins
24 Nov 2010
Former Bok prop Dawie Theron has been named the new South Africa U20 coach.
Theron succeeds Eric Sauls, and will occupy the SA U20 position for a term of three years. He will stand down as Griquas coach to take on the new job.
‘I have really enjoyed my time with Griquas, but this is a rare opportunity for a coach to lead a national rugby side,’ said Theron. ‘I am sure there will be challenges but that is what makes rugby so special.
‘We have an unbelievable amount of talented youngsters playing the game in South Africa and I am looking forward to working with them.
‘My first task will be to listen and speak to the various rugby structures at Saru and will then take my lead from them. I firmly believe that Saru has good structures in place and it is important that everyone is on the same page to ensure the success of our junior teams.’
Theron will work closely with the national selectors to first identify and then prepare a group of players in preparation for the 2011 IRB Junior World Championships in Italy.
18 Comments
24 Nov 2010, 16:49 pm
Baie geluk Dawie! Griekwas sal jou mis maar jy verdien hierdie louere!
24 Nov 2010, 16:58 pm
All the best Dawie.
24 Nov 2010, 17:26 pm
Wasn’t Rassie in line for this?
Nevermind.
I for one think this is a wise and astute signing.
Theron is up there with the best coaches in the country.
Griquas has consistently delivered despite a tiny player base and star players being signed to bigger unions.
Why?
Largely because of Theron.
He deserves a shot at a S15 franchise, but this will suit him and SA rugby nicely.
Well done, SARU.
It’s been a long time since anyone has said that!
24 Nov 2010, 17:32 pm
rassie said voetsek, he is staying @ wp..
24 Nov 2010, 17:34 pm
@Transformation(Transformation) : 4. He’s too busy with 20/20 rugby…
24 Nov 2010, 17:35 pm
well done for Saru as this really is a good appointment. With the limited talent he’s always produced a grquas team capable of punching aboce they’re weight
@least we’ve now taken 4 steps fwd to securing our future
24 Nov 2010, 17:48 pm
Good appointment, this. In truth, the U20 team was pretty rubbish under Eric Sauls! Believe it or not, the regressed from where Krusty the Blown took them!
24 Nov 2010, 17:53 pm
Is it just me or do our national rugby teams fare better when the coach is an authoritarian figure?
Someone the players call “sir” or “meneer”?
24 Nov 2010, 17:56 pm
i wonder if this guy will widen his selection net & not do a Sauls and just pick 8 blue bulls players…
24 Nov 2010, 17:56 pm
Nope, just think Strauli!
24 Nov 2010, 18:00 pm
@OCO(OCO) : 10 Oh yeah, sorry, forgot
24 Nov 2010, 18:07 pm
@Transformation(Transformation) : Well they were the best junior team for years by far.
HAving said that, if he picks more than one Bulls players next year, then we will have trouble. That U/19 Bulls team were very bad and I did not see a lot of talent there.
I also believe this year’s U/18s are very talented compared to the U/19s of this year. He should select a couple of them for next year’s tournament and I will expect good things for the group of 2012.
At least with Dawie in charge other teams will not dominate us up front as I have seen the last couple of years at this level. I think Branco(?) du Preez (That 40kg 1.4m centre of the U20s) is the guy that resembles the type of players Sauls picked.
24 Nov 2010, 19:30 pm
@Horings(Horings) : Well. That’s the biggest nonsense I’ve heard in some time!!! Where exactly were they the strongest team the last few years? Last year they failed to even reach the finals!
24 Nov 2010, 19:31 pm
Well Deserved
24 Nov 2010, 23:03 pm
I can’t believe he got the job.
This is the first good decision I’ve seen SARU make in a long time. I still don’t believe national success is their priority, and I still don’t support the Springboks anymore, but I guess SARU will do the right thing from time to time.
This is what is frustrating about SARU, and PDV for that matter. Occasionally they do actually make good decisions. However, these good decisions are too few and far between because the success of the Springboks will never be their priority.
25 Nov 2010, 04:18 am
He has done wonders with limited resources at Griquas. Lets hope we finally excel after a few lean years at this level.
8. willievz(willievz) yes i think its our way.
25 Nov 2010, 10:28 am
Good call. He has shown himself to be a good identifier and utilizer of talent. We are short of quality coaches in this country as witnessed by both our last two Bok coaches not even having currie cup /super rugby pedigrees. This is a sensible and laudable choice by SARU.
26 Nov 2010, 13:19 pm
@Transformation(Transformation) : lol at the Bulls having the best junior team for years. For anyone who’s actually followed u19 rugby it’s been a joke to see how the Bulls always outnumbered their counterparts the following year in the u20s for no apparent reason.
I remember a few years ago they were 2nd last on the u19 log and they STILL had the most u20 players the following year. And they certainly didn’t buy too many class players from other unions.
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