Bok coach: Coetzee back in picture?

Cape Town - There appears to be another twist in the process of finding a new Springbok coach, with Allister Coetzee reportedly back in the picture.

According to Netwerk24, Rassie Erasmus was the favourite to be named as Heyneke Meyer’s successor, but Coetzee, the former Stormers mentor, appears to be back in the picture.

Coetzee was tipped as the initial favourite for the job when Meyer stepped down late last year, but subsequent reports suggested that SARU may opt for its head of rugby, Erasmus, to fulfil the role on a short-term basis.

Erasmus is head of SARU’s Mobi-Unit of coaches who help out at various provinces upon request.

However, the committee tasked with identifying the suitable candidate are believed to have decided on Monday that Coetzee may be approached.

This follows a recent e-mail sent by SARU president Oregan Hoskins to the committee - consisting of James Stoffberg, Kevin de Klerk, Francois Davids and Pat Kuhn - where Hoskins invited them to put Coetzee’s name forward for the role if they believed he was the best candidate.

Erasmus though remains a candidate as the final say in the matter lies with SARU’s head council.