Blue
Andrew Slack (58)
Dick Muir not an option???
I'm sure he will apply.
He is a good man, with a solid rugby head on him.
The players really like him.
John Mitchell is an option but shees I will be surprised if it's not a Saffer.
Dick Muir not an option???
PdV quits as Boks crash out
9 Oct 2011
Peter de Villiers has quit after coaching the Springboks to a World Cup quarter-final defeat in Wellington.
De Villiers’ contract has expired and after a four year tenure marked by controversy and criticism, he will opt not to put forward his name as a candidate for the now vacant post.
‘Its been a brilliant journey and one that none of you [the media] can take away from me,’ he said. ‘There’s a time to come and a time to go. The journey is over.
‘I enjoyed it. I was in a privileged position to be able to contribute to my country. South African rugby is in a good state and will move forward after this.’
Asked how he wanted to be remembered, De Villiers said: ‘As the best me I could be.’
De Villiers ends his career with a 63% success rate, winning 30 of his 48 Tests. However, measured against the best in the world he has struggled. With the defeat in Wellington this evening his record against Australia dipped to four wins from 12, while he has won just five from 11 against the All Blacks.
De Villiers enjoyed the bulk of his success in 2009, winning a series against the British & Irish Lions, as well as the Tri-Nations. However, outside of that the Springboks have struggled, this with arguably the finest generation of players in decades at his disposal.
His loyalty to captain John Smit, despite the rise of the incomparable Bismarck du Plessis, has elicited severe criticism. He sought out Smit in 2008 while the Test veteran was contracted to French outfit Clermont, offering him the captaincy, then persisting with him despite Smit touching the ceiling of his potential in 2009.
Smit was liberal in his praise of De Villiers. ‘We’ve had a good four years. He isn’t a coach in the usual mould but one we’ve thoroughly enjoyed,’ Smit said. ‘He has given us leeway and space and tightened the reigns when he needed to. He is a great man and coach.’
De Villiers was appointed ahead of superior candidates, most notably Heyneke Meyer, in 2008, South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins citing ‘reasons other than rugby credentials’ as the reason for the decision.
There isn’t a clear favourite for the post. Meyer has signed a long-term deal with the Bulls as their director of rugby and has indicated repeatedly to this website that he isn’t considering applying for the job. The Stormers duo of Rassie Erasmus and Allistair Coetzee are expected to toss their names into the hat, while others like Lions coach John Mitchell and former Saracens head Brendan Venter have been mentioned as possible candidates.
Australia:
Nathan Sharpe
Dan Vickerman
Luke Burgess
Wycliff Palu
Radike Samo.
Well we've seen the last of the Irish golden generation (I think?): O'Driscoll, O'Connell and O'Gara. Fine servants all, the game will be worse off without them.
Peter de Villiers quits as Springbok coach
Thank God for South Africa's sake. A great talent pool squandered by a complete fool.
I think Coetzee is the frontrunner for the top job, seeing as Meyer has signaled he's not interested (although this could change very soon). The captaincy is another issue. With Smit going to England and Matfield retiring, who takes over? Maybe Andries Bekker or Juan Smith?
This list is a combination of confirmed retirees, players heading overseas and those in their 30's who haven't made it official yet. They might play another season or two, but no more RWC's.
[New Zealand:
Andrew Hore
Kevin Mealamu
Brad Thorn
Conrad Smith
Mils Muliaina
Jimmy Cowan
.