I think that in the end Meyer may be a solution to the problem - but there are serious reservations. The following neds to be borne in mind (ex News24):-
"Without getting into the finer detail, these would be my requirements of a Springbok coach set to take control of the team from January 2016:
• Evolve the South African game plan from one that relies solely on brute strength up front and astute kicking, to one that includes playing the situation using a plethora of attacking skills;
• Play a brand of rugby that not only excites both the players and fans, but makes us all proud to be supporters of the Springbok brand;
• Move away from relying solely on a playbook, to an environment that empowers the players to play what is in front of them using their natural talent learned skill-set;
• As such, condition and up-skill the players accordingly;
• Focus not on immediate results, and let not the 2019 Rugby World Cup define you. Instead focus on a long-term global ranking goal as a performance KPI;
• Build a large base of players with an open ranking in each position from which to call from. Do this by playing experimental sides in less important games;
• Be brave with your selections, moving away from the notion of not giving away “free caps” to one that broadens the player base that can play at the highest level;
• Know that racial window dressing will not be tolerated. Instead, as part of the new and braver selection policy, select players of colour on merit and give them time to settle;
• Distance yourself from both the game and the team so as to apply yourself as objectively as possible;
• Be pragmatic - knowing that the buck stops with you, take ownership of final selection, but base that on input from your various trusted sources;
• Define and implement a policy with regard to the selection of overseas players;
• Take key learnings from Argentina (general playing style via Graham Henry) and Australia (the scrum via Mario Ledesma), and bring in foreign skills where we need them;
• Facilitated by SARU, take ownership of the relationship with the Super Rugby coaches, with a view to developing a more evolved South African brand of rugby;
• Install a culture that speaks to rugby’s traditions - the game was fostered on a spirit of fraternity and shared experience and to not observe that is to disrespect a core tenet of the game. The third half, as the French call it, has always been rugby's greatest point of difference.
Could you see Heyneke Meyer fulfilling such a role?
My immediate answer will be that on his own Meyer will NEVER meet the requirement. If his coaching team is changed and he gets the following structure in place he may succeed:-
* a proper backline coach - preferably a new Zealand backround coach;
* a proper attack coach - forget about forwards in that capacity;
* a selection policy based on performance - not the reputation rubbish he applied to date;
* a clause in his contract that if he does not meet the above requirements within two years - his contract will be terminated
