"TOETIE" APPOINTED AS NEW BOKS COACH

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Allister “Toetie” Coetzee has been named as the new Springboks coach on a four year deal replacing outgoing Heyneke Meyer who enjoyed a tough spell to his rugby career during the 2015 IRB rugby world cup in England.

The 52 year old Grahamstown-born coach is no stranger to the Springboks set up having worked with Jake White as the assistant coach during the 2007 rugby world cup.

 He spent six years coaching the Stormers in Super rugby, he also led Western province to two Currie cup titles in 2012 and 2014.In 2015 he served a short stint at Japanese outfits Kobelco Steelers. 

Coetzee comes into the role with a huge task of introducing new replacements for retired veterans such as Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez, and Victor Mitfield.

South Africa rugby union (SARU) president, Oregan Hoskins described this appointment as an exciting time in South African rugby.

“It is a watershed moment for our game with new players developing alongside a spine of experience and it was the right time to have a new man guiding the Springboks for the foreseeable future,” Hoskins said.

He assured South Africans that Allister has their support as SARU.

“We will be united in our effort to continue to make Springboks rugby strong. I want to wish him well in his new job, I also want to pay tribute to Heyneke and his management team for their dedication and service to Springbok rugby for the past four years,” he said.

Former Springboks Seven captain Mzwandile “Stick” Mtembu will join Johann van Graan as the assistant coach with Ian Schwartz carrying with his role as the team manager.

Coetzee’s coaching reign begins with three home tests at home against Ireland in June.