"SARU’s general manager of high performance, Rassie Erasmus, is still interested in coaching the Springboks, a report in Rapport indicates.
However, according to the newspaper’s source, Erasmus wants the appointment to be made immediately and not at SARU’s next general council meeting scheduled for April 1.
The source also claims that Erasmus and his mobile coaching unit already have advanced plans in place for the Springboks' three-Test series against Ireland in June.
“Video analysis of the Irish team is already done, the names of a possible squad are penned down and movements have even been worked out, but players need to know in what capacity Rassie is speaking - as the next Bok coach or head of SA Rugby,” the source said.
The same newspaper reported earlier that Erasmus was not keen on becoming the next Bok coach. Erasmus was reportedly growing disillusioned with the political infighting between the union presidents, as well as the tug of war between SARU president Oregan Hoskins and CEO Jurie Roux.
But he appears to have made an about-turn and is still eager to coach the Boks.
Another candidate for the Bok coaching position is Allister Coetzee, who currently coaches the Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers in Japan."
The report does not reflect the real situation that developed at SARU. In December 2015 Roux was appointed to take the lead of a Committee to consider the appointment of the coach after evaluation of potential candidates - inclusive of foreign potential coaches.
However, SARU was aware of the situation of the Stellenbosch and Jurie Roux issue since June last year. In January 2016 Hoskins realized that his personal choice as coach - Coetzee - would not make the list and then under rpessure about newspaper reports Hoskins then tried to suspend Roux and take over the coach appointment investigation. He announced it publicly without taking account of the legal implications of the situation and send a circular to the GC members that Coetzee is back in consideration.
When the General Council met subsequently - a legal opinion on the issue showed that until a court of law pronounce on the Stellenboch - Roux issue SARU cannot take action against Roux and the GC took a decision that all functions of Roux has been returned to Roux. That included the coach selection issue as well,
It seems as the effort of Hoskins to get Coetzee appointed as coach was rebuffed by the GC and there were even reports that he may face a vote of no confidence at the GC. That is where the position is at present and it is no wonder that Erasmus has reviewed his position.
