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Cape Town - Three former national players, including an ex-captain, are unhappy with the current state of affairs in the Springbok set-up.
South Africa's 37-21 defeat was their sixth loss in 10 Tests under coach Allister Coetzee and also their first against England in 10 years.
Derick Hougaard, who played eight Tests at flyhalf between 2003 and 2007, told Netwerk24: “It’s very disappointing to see how the Springboks are playing. The players are giving their best, but the structures are a circus.
“What is backline coach Mzwandile Stick's role following the appointment of Franco Smith? You’re sitting with Johan van Graan, who some view as the best forwards coach in the world, and Matthew Proudfoot.
“Who is accepting responsibility for what? It must be very confusing for the players. The coaching team need to speak from one mouth.”
Rob Louw, who played 19 Tests between 1980 and 1984, also hit out at the Bok coaching staff.
“I just believe the coaching in South Africa is sub-standard and behind the rest of the world.
Louw described the Springboks’ defence as “atrocious”.
“That’s our biggest problem. Our loose forward combination was (on Saturday) also a disaster.
Former Springbok captain, Wynand Claassen feels the mistakes on the field are inexcusable.
“Allister will have to take responsibility. SARU will also have to take responsibility for his weak appointments (as assistant coaches).”
Claassen last year called on Heyneke Meyer to resign as Bok coach and mentioned Coetzee’s name as a possible successor.
Claassen told Cape Talk in November 2015: “If you look at a guy like Allister Coetzee - he was the deputy coach for the Springboks for quite a long time. He was quite successful with Western Province and the Stormers. He’s got the right CV. He also played top class rugby, he played provincial rugby and for the SARU national team in those days.
With Adriaan Strauss set to retire, Claassen - who played seven Tests between 1981 and 1982 - said he would have liked the Boks to have picked a new captain for the year-end tour.
