SOUTH AFRICA RUGBY has decided to retain the services of head coach Allister Coetzee following a coaching review.
Under Coetzee, the Springboks have won just four of 12 Tests and has been under fire from the South African media and former players.
There were conflicting reports last week as to his future while Munster’s Rassie Erasmus has previously been tipped to make the move home to take over as the national team coach.
However, while today’s news puts those rumours to bed, there are still some changes to Coetzee’s coaching staff.
Former Springbok Franco Smith will work with the backs while a “major new defensive coach will be confirmed once contractual details are finalised” according to the union.
In a statement, SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said:
“Our coaching review was focused on the Springboks and we identified two areas to give Allister Coetzee additional support at the head of our most prized national asset.
“Last year was an incredibly tough one for the Springboks and all of the rugby community suffered.
“We weighed many factors in the review process but we believe that these changes will strengthen the Springbok management hand.”
