Div: Meyer underestimated intelligence of black people

Cape Town - Following the Springboks’ first ever defeat to Argentina, former coach Peter de Villiers has taken a swipe at current coach Heyneke Meyer.

CLICK HERE to read Peter de Villiers’ full column on the TimesLIVE website

The Boks lost 37-25 to the Pumas in Durban last Saturday to finish bottom of the Rugby Championship standings.

De Villiers, who coached the Springboks between 2008 and 2011, voiced his concerns about the current Bok set-up via a column on the TimesLIVE website.

De Villiers feels not enough black players are being given an opportunity to prove their worth.

“I believe the Boks' problems started in the build-up to the Test, when Heyneke Meyer underestimated the intelligence of black people with a dishonest selection,” De Villiers wrote.

“According to the coach, two weeks ago Jesse Kriel was not only the best centre in South Africa, but the world.

“In my opinion, Meyer made that assertion to justify the continued exclusion of Lionel Mapoe or Juan de Jongh in the midfield.

“In the lead-up to the Durban Test, when Meyer had to choose between Kriel and the fit-again Jean de Villiers, he duly dropped a player of colour on the wing to accommodate the former. That decision took the country back to the late eighties, when blacks supported the opposing teams because of apartheid.”

Meyer has been under fire this week after his side slipped from second to fifth in the World Rugby rankings.

The Bok mentor has also copped criticism in other quarters for failing to transform the national side, with five black players reportedly having approached trade union Cosatu over being sidelined in matches.

Western Cape Cosatu chairperson Motlatsi Tsubane said two white Springboks had also “put their weight behind the matter” and felt not enough had been done to transform the team.

Meyer has coached the Boks in 40 Tests, winning 26 (losing 12 with 2 drawn) of those for a 65% win ratio.

Only Kitch Christie (100%), Nick Mallett (71%) and Jake White (66%) achieved greater success at the helm of the Boks.