Chronicle EditorJOHANNESBURG. – A mass-circulation South African newspaper says Springboks coach Allister Coetzee is facing the sack after a shambolic season. Third at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, South Africa have lost seven of 11 Tests this year, with the 20-18 defeat by Italy in Florence at the weekend the most humiliating. “He (coach Allister Coetzee) needed a win (against Italy) to keep the wolves from the door,” wrote Craig Ray in the Sunday Times.
“His time is up and all that remains is for Wales to read the last rites in Cardiff next Saturday.”
The Test against the Welsh concludes a three-international tour for the Springboks, which began with a 37-21 defeat by England in London last weekend. Coetzee called the defeat in Florence “the darkest moment of my coaching career. Definitely the toughest.” He took charge this year after Heyneke Meyer opted not to seek a renewal of his four-year contract.
Meyer had faced public and media criticism for “pre-historic” kick-and-chase tactics and largely ignoring black stars in race-sensitive South Africa. – AFP.
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