Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Does Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer have the backing of the ANC? And will he coach the team until the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan?
These were two big talking points this past weekend following the Springboks’ 24-13 win over Argentina in the Rugby World Cup’s Bronze Final.
After the Boks’ win over Los Pumas, Meyer furiously hit back at critics who believe he should be fired.
Meyer has copped heavy criticism in recent times for opting for a conservative game plan, with many pundits calling for his head.
However, the Bok mentor firmly believes he has the right game plan to take the team forward and has no intention to call it a day.
He also claims he has the backing of the ANC.
“I get unbelievable support from our politicians. I received SMSes from leading ANC members saying, ‘Well done, we are proud of you’,” Meyer told Afrikaans newspaper Rapport at the weekend.
“People who question my ability as coach, should look in the mirror and ask themselves if what they are doing and saying are for the right reasons. I feel the team did well and is transformed. I sleep well at night, and those guys (who criticise) have hidden agendas.”
It was also reported at the weekend that Meyer had already signed a new four-year Bok deal believed to be R5m per year.
This is however not cast in stone and still needs to be approved by SARU’s general council early in December.
Should the intention to extend Meyer’s contract be approved, he is likely to coach the Boks through to the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
