South African coach Peter De Villiers needs to deliver
South African coach Peter De Villiers is under pressure as he goes into the opening Test of the Autumn Internationals on Saturday 6 November against Ireland.
The controversial Springbok coach has made various remarks at press conferences that landed him in trouble with the International Rugby Board in the past and his job has appeared to be in a precarious position with the South African Rugby Union because of
this.
The latest incident involving De Villiers surrounds his search for new coaches to replace his assistants d**k Muir and Gary Gold.
De Villiers wanted to move the assistant coaches into consultant roles after the team’s recent poor form. His attempt was unsuccessful and the coach was forced to back track on the issue. This has led to some friction within the camp.
However, De Villiers admitted that was all in the past and that he was only focused on the game against Ireland.
The coach appears to have survived the latest debacle and the SARU’s review of his performance at a meeting after the Tri Nations.
James Stoffberg, the chairman of the SARU said, “It was a frank meeting but a positive one. The results of the Springbok team are of paramount importance to our organisation and everyone in the room was committed to providing the team with the best conditions
in which to succeed."
The Springbok coach remained in charge of South Africa after his team’s impressive victory in the Tri Nations and their 2-1 series win over the Lions in 2009.
However, since then South Africa have not produced the same type of performances and lost to Ireland in last year’s November Tests before their disastrous Tri Nations where the defending Champions only picked up one win.
De Villiers will know that some poor results on their tour of the northern hemisphere could see him lose his job as national coach.
Tags: