Meyer’s the man
15 Mar 2011
MARK KEOHANE, writing in SA Rugby magazine, says the next Springbok coach should be named now.
Not only has Fourie du Preez given Heyneke Meyer the endorsement to be the Springbok coach post the 2011 World Cup, he is emphatic that if Meyer were to be appointed he would make himself available for the national team in 2012.
Give Meyer that job now and ensure Du Preez wears the No 9 jersey in 2012. It would make such a statement of the leadership in South African rugby – a leadership that too often fails itself – if there was such forward planning and certainty in making the appointment.
Instead we will get the usual cat and mouse games. Coaches, including the incumbent Peter de Villiers, will be asked to apply and in the time it takes to interview contenders players will have made decisions based on the uncertainty of who heads up Bok rugby.
South African rugby, like any other national union, can’t afford an overseas exodus of top players at the end of 2011 or premature international retirements.
Meyer would be my choice to succeed De Villiers, but there is strong support in South African rugby for Stormers duo Rassie Erasmus and Allister Coetzee and New Zealanders John Plumtree and John Mitchell.
Italy and former Bok coach Nick Mallett is expected to be off contract after the World Cup, but it is doubtful Mallett would ever want to coach the Boks again given the despicable manner in which Saru ended his tenure in 2000.
Of those coaches based in South Africa Meyer has the most appeal, but it would be expecting too much for any commitment to be made at this early juncture. Succession plans have never found favour in South African rugby boardrooms.
De Villiers, victorious or not at the World Cup, will not be reappointed. The four years he will have served as national coach unfortunately would have been four years too many.
There will be a new face, but whoever that face is will determine how many of the familiar faces remain in 2012. If they knew that identity in advance of the World Cup it would simplify the decision to stay in South Africa.
Du Preez’s public support of Meyer, in an interview with colleague Ryan Vrede in this issue, should be noted with more than just a passing interest because Du Preez in 2012 can be as instrumental to a new generation of Bok rugby as he has been to the Bok glory years of 2007 and 2009.
Victor Matfield is huge on the world stage and even bigger in South Africa, but his imposing presence is secondary to what Du Preez offers the Boks. And that should tell anyone about Du Preez’s value and pedigree.
Du Preez’s fitness will determine whether the Boks can be the first team to defend the World Cup and with Du Preez at scrumhalf the Boks can be successful with the kick-and-chase game that failed them so miserably in 2010.
There is always place in the game for that approach if the right player is there to implement the kick. When it comes to Du Preez, he has no equal in that aspect of the game and as a scrumhalf none have matched his control of field position.
South African rugby should be doing everything it possibly can to keep Du Preez in the country after the 2011 World Cup. New Zealand, if they are to win the World Cup, can’t afford to lose Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, and South Africa simply can’t do without Du Preez.
He is the most complete and influential professional rugby player this country has known. There has to be a plan to keep him in South Africa, and that plan must involve his mentor of the last decade, Heyneke Meyer.
– This column first appeared in the March issue of SA Rugby magazine.
234 Comments
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15 Mar 2011, 12:45 pm
Blueprint Dragon!
15 Mar 2011, 12:52 pm
pdv tell them to stuff off. First it was Jake now it’s Heineken…he must wait for his turn
15 Mar 2011, 12:54 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-2: If you appointed the next Bok coach, would Heyneke be your choice?
15 Mar 2011, 12:56 pm
Fully agree with keo, after 7 years of crisis management it is time that SA rugby appoints a true professional coach, be it HM or NM. If you want to be the best you have to invest in the best. There is an abundance of talent in players. Let’s get these guys coached by the best so that they can reach the top (global level)
15 Mar 2011, 12:59 pm
Keo you xenophobic racist
15 Mar 2011, 13:03 pm
Journo trying to pick the coach once again.
15 Mar 2011, 13:06 pm
The day we get all our backroom nonsense sorted out will be the day our Boks become unstoppable : )
15 Mar 2011, 13:07 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-5: Noticed that too, didnt want to comment on it.
15 Mar 2011, 13:11 pm
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-8:
You scared of him?
15 Mar 2011, 13:23 pm
I have no doubt Meyer is the best coach currently in SA.
But I do not see the landscape coaching at Bok level change one iota even if he ends up coaching there.
People forget, Mallet was the best thing since sliced bread at the time he was appointed.
Straeuli, at the time he was appointed or just before was writtend into the job of Bok coach by the media, and was the best thing ever at the time. Keo you actually worked under him.
The monster that is SA Rugby, especially at Bok level where the shots that matter are called by those who never get fired, or are held accountable, will destroy any coach, no matter how good, at this level.
If I was in the shoes of Heyneke (which I will never be of course), I will continue to do what I do now, and one day retire with in the very least, my reputation as a coach intact, because taking on the position of the coaching the Boks you are assured of only one thing, it will be your last as a coach.
15 Mar 2011, 13:26 pm
The only place Meyer will serve SA rugby, and remain an influential and respected figure, is if the position of Director of Rugby at national, senior (and junior) levels are created – because that is where he should be. The boss of the coaches and in charge of any and all succession programs at national level, and throughout all age-group levels at this level.
15 Mar 2011, 13:29 pm
Would du Preez not go to Japan if Meyer is appointed or what?
15 Mar 2011, 13:29 pm
Lots of levels there…
15 Mar 2011, 13:30 pm
@super_adi(super_adi)-12:
He would make himself available to the Boks, which is not the case at the moment or what it will be after this year’s World Cup.
15 Mar 2011, 13:35 pm
Mallett, Meyer and Plumtree….quality coaches worth their weight in gold.
Jake White needs to prove himself again to be a contender.
15 Mar 2011, 13:35 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-9: lol. Was actually starting to draw a comparison between his view in foreigners and affirmative action, to point out if he thinks AC is competent he should then get the job, based on the “fair” discrimination principle found in affirmative action, the same principle Keo uses to differentiate between local and foreign coaches.
But I knew the fight would escalate into an all-out brawl between the usual suspects, with Keohane nowhere in sight.
15 Mar 2011, 13:39 pm
for me anyone of Nick mallet [ my favorite by a country mile ]….H Meyer or J Mitchell would be just fine!
As for Gold, Muir and PDV….
Ek hou liewer my bek!
15 Mar 2011, 13:39 pm
Mallet wins one game in 20 bazillion by one point and suddenly he is the Messiah.
15 Mar 2011, 13:40 pm
ja…also plum…cool coach that oke
15 Mar 2011, 13:42 pm
they’re clowns. when have they ever respected achievement?
Os? Jake? Mallett? …
all about ego.
15 Mar 2011, 13:44 pm
Director of Rugby to my mind is NOT a position that can be created and filled from outside. A succesful DoR is usually a head coach that grow into the position. He needs to demonstrate his methods and systems first as a coach.
Nick Mallet is a way better coach compared to Rassie. However, as DoR at WP Rassie has done much better. Mallet never coached at WP
In theory D ick Muir is the DoR at the Lions. I cannot see how any one will take him seriously because of his coaching record at the union. Mitch is the man.
The last candidate we had for an SA DoR was Jake …
Meyer can be an excellent DoR for the Boks but then he needs to do the coaching first and prove himself to be succesfull at that level – just as he did with the Bulls.
15 Mar 2011, 13:45 pm
Meyer as the director of coaching is a great idea. We need somebody, ANYBODY, with a real rugby brain to be in charge of the backroom gang running our rugby!
15 Mar 2011, 13:46 pm
@Beertjie(Beertjie)-21: directed @PissAnt(PissAnt)-11:
15 Mar 2011, 13:50 pm
fokkit…proteas need at least another 60 runs here…go duminy you beauty
15 Mar 2011, 14:00 pm
Gadzooks!!! Meyer would be out of his depth in the international game. World rugby has moved on since his 10-man insipid kick, rush, guage and stamp had some limited success under the auspices of a different set of rules.
In his time at Leicester he came across as a belaguered old fool. Myred in an old way of paying rugby that showed scant regard for the paying spectator and little respect for the real traditions of the game.
If I was in charge of SA Rugby I’d take a long hard look at John Mitchell. He’s in the country and Saffa’s are natturally deferential to New Zealanders. He’s also learned from the very best. Sir Clive. Go get him guys…
15 Mar 2011, 14:01 pm
Meyer’s impact immediately evident at Tuks. Very impressive against Maties, in attitude, approach to the breakdown, playing field position. And doing the basics first.
15 Mar 2011, 14:05 pm
@StMichel(StMichel)-25: greetings … a voice from a distant past … one of the original visitors to my kingdom
15 Mar 2011, 14:07 pm
@keo(keo)-26:
It is not his ability anyone contests, it is the system that he will step into that either allowed him to exercise this ability to its full extent, or inhibits it – my money is on the latter…
15 Mar 2011, 14:08 pm
and another thing …
set clear objectives, short/medium/long term. identify areas for improvement, set goals, measure results, make sure tomorrow is better than yesterday in all key areas.
luck is not a strategy. its about systematic planning and detailed execution. last time i looked this was a professional game.
pdv is an amusing fellow and i might enjoy a beer with him, but its obvious he can’t plan his way out of a wet paper bag.
next time hire a systematic long term thinker with a track record of success. then target some milestones and hold everyone accountable.
15 Mar 2011, 14:08 pm
@keo(keo)-26:
System…
Meyer was the clear choice for the Lions two seasons ago, they opted for Muir.
Reasons I was told is Meyer wanted too much power, Lions wanted a yes-man – this is SA Rugby.
15 Mar 2011, 14:10 pm
@keo(keo)-26: heineken’s “impact” is nowhere to be seen in the bulls’ Vodacom Cup team!
15 Mar 2011, 14:12 pm
26. keo(keo)
Keo good to be back Sir!! I hope the natives have been behaving themselves in my enforced absence!
15 Mar 2011, 14:13 pm
@keo(keo)-27:
Vok
Typical to greet someone with plum in his mouth
What about the originator of your kingdom. Me.
I made you, I take you down.
15 Mar 2011, 14:14 pm
@StMichel(StMichel)-32:
The Bill let you out for good behaviour?
15 Mar 2011, 14:28 pm
Bleater duh Failures should never have been. His time should have been over by last year at he most. And SARU know it. Heyneke was the right man for the job, and hopefully SARU will have learnt from this disaster and make the right decision now. And this time, that decision must be a rugby one, and not another shortcut to nowhere.
15 Mar 2011, 14:29 pm
@StMichel(StMichel)-32: It would be a sad day if the natives on this site ever behaved themselves
15 Mar 2011, 14:30 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-33: Notice how he pointedly ignores you.
15 Mar 2011, 14:31 pm
the same old story. Matfield would only play for the boks if heiniken are coach 2007.
Matfield deny making such a statement after playing looseforward in france
Fourie du preez states its the best springbok environmnet yet.
PDV and Earl rose is keeping this site alive.
Heineken, Jake haven’t been a head a coach in some time.
15 Mar 2011, 14:32 pm
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-37:
Mmmmm.
15 Mar 2011, 14:32 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-31:
Heyneke is the only truly successful coach at Super rugby level! Your beloved Mrs Bleater duh Failures can boast no such thing. Who was the first person he ran to last year? Ah yes, Plumtree, trying to get the man that fixed his 09 campaign onboard again. But he declined, and so the search continues to this day, trying to secure a team to again do his job. But nobody wants to be a part of this farce. Heyneke is the best and only man for the job. It baffles me that you will not credit him. He’s an architect, which the Boks need after four years of utter B*llsh!t. Are you threatened that you transformation appointment is under threat? You’re visibly not too concerned about the rugby.
15 Mar 2011, 14:33 pm
@adi(adi)-38:
Rather them than a person who hasn’t be a coach his entire life!
15 Mar 2011, 14:38 pm
Goodness this is paint-drying stuff
15 Mar 2011, 14:41 pm
@Blitzbok(Blitzbok)-40: Alucard: you can change nics all you like, you bullsh*t still leaves a stench
keo is being a “journalist” again with his selective reporting, Tuks beats Maties and it’s all credit to Heineken while the Bulls’ vodacom cup team is copping loss after loss – is heyneke not responsible for that team?
15 Mar 2011, 14:41 pm
@Taahirah(Taahirah)-37:
You think he ignoring me cos I called him a xenophobic racist?
15 Mar 2011, 14:44 pm
women can’t handle being ignored…
15 Mar 2011, 14:47 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-44: Nope. He strikes me as the sort of guy who takes pride in that.
I think its the threat to “break” him which made him go into sulk mode.
15 Mar 2011, 14:48 pm
if heyneke goes to the boks next year then the bulls’ transition period might be a really painful one.
i bet you WO will also make himself available to the Boks if heineken is coach…
15 Mar 2011, 14:49 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-43: Come now Transie, stop arguing against your better judgement. Heineke is a proven coach if ever there was one. If not him, who else? What are your criteria for a good coach (other than the colour of his skin)?
15 Mar 2011, 14:51 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-43: Maybe the opposite is actually true? He is coaching Tuks iso the VC Bulls. Thus Tuks improving and BB going backwards. If you want to critisize HM use this angel: why is the DoR of the BB wasting his time in the Varsity Cup instead of stepping in to rectify the problems at the BB?
15 Mar 2011, 14:52 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-43:
Alucard? I don’t know what you’re talking about and I dont care. I speak the truth, thats all that matters chump
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