At the end of last season the Springboks recorded their worst-ever run in a calendar year – suffering eight losses in 12 matches, including a 57–15 defeat to arch foes, New Zealand.
However, it is with renewed hope that coach Allister Coetzee is looking forward to the new season. This, after the Executive Council of SA Rugby (Exco) reaffirmed its support for the Bok coach and approved the appointment of Franco Smith as new assistant coach.
Smith, a former Springbok backline player and current Cheetahs head coach, was confirmed as a new member of the national coaching team following the landmark review which was undertaken by SA Rugby into the team’s dismal 2016 season.
Smith will coach the Boks’ backline, while the new defence coach will be announced once contractual details have been finalised.
“I’m glad the review process is done and want to thank Exco for reaffirming its support for me as Springbok coach,” Coetzee said. “We have no excuses for our poor performances of 2016 even though last year was an extremely challenging season. Our below par performances will never be acceptable and we will have to turn it around.”
He added that since the Boks’ outgoing tour at the end of last year, his entire focus had been on planning for the 2017 season. “At this time last year, I was still to be appointed, but now I have already been planning, holding meetings, preparation camps and fine-tuning logistics to ensure optimal performance. These plans were shared with the local franchise coaches in December and again on 15 February.”
Coetzee and members of his coaching staff had a two-day planning meeting in Johannesburg earlier this month, while the full Springbok management team gathered in Cape Town two weeks ago to discuss planning for the year ahead.
“Although the review process had to run its course, I have continued with background planning. Apart from the three indabas, a lot of work has already taken place behind the scenes to make sure we are much better prepared for 2017,” said the Springbok coach.
Coetzee iterated on the positive effect of the indabas, where the Springbok coaches and conditioning staff met with their local franchise colleagues, and said this was evident in the preparation of the local Super Rugby franchise teams. “We also shared our continuity plan for the Springboks with them and I am happy with the progress we have made so far.”
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