Heyneke Meyer quits as Bok coach

I'll certainly miss the way he belted out the Anthem along with the boys.

No lack of passion there.
 
Heyneke Meyer has advised the South African Rugby Union (SARU) that he no longer wished to be considered as a candidate to coach the Springboks.

Meyer communicated his desire to stand aside to SARU following a recent meeting with Oregan Hoskins, SARU president, and the CEO, Jurie Roux.

Meyer said he had decided to stand aside as coach, a decision he considers to be in the best interests of South African rugby, following recent developments.

Meyer took over a Springbok team that was fourth in the world rankings at the conclusion of the 2011 Rugby World Cup and lifted them to second (to New Zealand) by the end of his first season in charge.

That position was maintained in 2013 and 2014 with a combined winning ratio of 77% which included a record-breaking win over Australia in Brisbane (38-12), a Rugby Championship record victory over Argentina in Soweto (73-13) and the first away win over France in 16 years, as well as two unbeaten end-of-year tours.

In all, Meyer coached the team to 34 victories and two draws in 50 matches. During his tenure, the Springboks recorded a 66.7% winning record in Tests and scored 143 Test tries - second only to New Zealand in that time.

“I have always put the Springboks first in my time as coach and since returning from England I have realised that as much as I believe I still have a lot to offer, the time has come for change,” said Meyer.

“My integrity has always been very important and I feel I can leave with my head held high. I’ve always maintained that my only motivation was to serve my country and to do what was best for the Springboks.

“I have greatly enjoyed my time as Springbok coach - although it has been highly pressured at times and especially tough on my family, and I would like to thank them for their unwavering support in the last four years.

“I have put my heart and soul into the job and did my very best. I believe that, overall, I leave the team with much to look forward to in 2016, with new structures in place to ensure the Springboks will remain competitive on the world stage.

“The number of young players that have been blooded over the past four seasons, who chose to remain in South Africa, leave the team in a great position to move on in the next few years. I would like to wish the next coach all the success in this wonderful position.

“The Springboks are a special team and carrying the hopes of a nation is a huge responsibility and great privilege. I realised that yet again with all the support I received from ordinary South Africans, both at the World Cup and upon our return to the country. Thank you to the countless faithful, positive and passionate supporters that have made my job as coach a joy.

“To everyone at SARU and for the hard work and commitment of my management and support team, I will be forever thankful. And finally to the players - you are ultimately the reason why I coach and you’ve enriched my life in the last four years.”

Hoskins thanked Meyer for his services to South African rugby.

“We have reached a natural watershed in many ways with a significant number of senior players either retiring or moving overseas as well as the fact that our Strategic Transformation Plan is now in full swing,” said Hoskins.

“Heyneke gave his all for the Springboks and it was a great pleasure to work with such a passionate South African. There were many highlights during his time as coach and those are the moments we will remember.

“He also set very high standards of behaviour for himself, his management team and his players and he was and is a credit to South African rugby. I’m sure all my colleagues join me in wishing him the very best of luck in whatever coaching path his career now takes him.”

SARU said that the search for a successor would begin immediately. The CEO will present the process of recruitment as per the recommendation of the High Performance Committee for approval to the Executive Council on Wednesday, after which it will be shared with the provincial unions at the General Council meeting two days later.

Media are advised that an announcement on any appointment would be made only once the process had been completed. SARU personnel would make no comment on the matter until that time.

SARU’s General Council was set to meet on December 11 to discuss Meyer’s future as coach, but that meeting will now be to find a suitable replacement for Meyer.

Former Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has been widely tipped as the man to take over.

Meyer coached the Boks between 2012 and 2015.

Source:

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Springboks/heyneke-meyer-quits-as-springbok-coach-20151203
 
Fulcrum29 said:
I don't think that Coetzee is bad, he has the experience and has also exceeded in Japan. The problem is that he will be another political medium, easily used.
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Coetzee is not bad, but he is also not great. He has basically achieved nothing at the stormers for how many seasons now?, he is by no means as k@k as PDV, and probably one of the better SA coaches.
But there is no way someone is going to tell me he is a better coach than Meyer.
We should have jumped at the Jones opportunity, that ship has sailed now. The best we can do now is make Robbie Deans a good offer. unfortunately I don't think anyone wants the SA coach position. Everyone expects these amazing results with constant political influence.
 
SA rugby is ****ed.

Way too much politics in the sport I can't be arsed no more. I have said this before and I will say it again. There is more than enough rugby comps all over the world one does need to support a South African team. I can actually now do other things instead of watching 30 players rug their way to victory.
 
je$$ie_jame$ said:
Where were you 2008 - 2011?
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I assume you're referring to the PdV tenure. My thoughts on that are exactly the same. And with Jake White before him.

No matter your view on someone's coaching style, selection policies or game plan, abusing and attacking someone (and his family) is completely offside.
 
Lament said:
Coetzee is not bad, but he is also not great. He has basically achieved nothing at the stormers for how many seasons now?, he is by no means as k@k as PDV, and probably one of the better SA coaches.
But there is no way someone is going to tell me he is a better coach than Meyer.
We should have jumped at the Jones opportunity, that ship has sailed now. The best we can do now is make Robbie Deans a good offer. unfortunately I don't think anyone wants the SA coach position. Everyone expects these amazing results with constant political influence.
Click to expand...

I don't think that's fair. I don't think every coach that didn't win 'achieved nothing'.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stormers

Look at their results when he was coach. It's a good track record.
 
All the best to him, although I disliked the style of rugby we played, I really liked the emphasis on playing clean rugby and not constantly bitching about refereeing.
 
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