Share

Carel: Will sacking Allister solve problems?

Cape Town - Legendary former wing Carel du Plessis is not sure whether sacking Allister Coetzee as Springbok coach would solve the problems facing South African rugby.

READ: Open letter to Ollie le Roux

READ: Ex-Bok skipper calls for Coetzee’s head

Knives are out for Coetzee after the Springboks’ record 38-3 defeat to Ireland in Dublin this past weekend.

It was Ireland’s biggest ever win in 111 years over South Africa and leaves Coetzee with a paltry 41% win record in 22 Tests in charge of the national team.

A report in the Sunday Times over the weekend stated that the top brass at SA Rugby are losing patience with Coetzee and his remaining time as head coach “can be counted in weeks‚ not months”.

But Du Plessis - who was fired as head coach after just eight Tests in charge of the Springboks in 1997 - told Netwerk24 that SA Rugby should not make hasty decisions regarding Coetzee’s future.

“Is our rugby strategically positioned in such a way for the Boks to remain one of the big guns in world rugby?” Du Plessis questioned.

“No one likes to see the Boks lose by 40 points and it’s easy to criticise afterwards. But will things without doubt be better (if Coetzee is fired) or is the problem bigger than the head coach?”

Du Plessis, who coached the Boks to a 2-1 series defeat against the British and Irish Lions in 1997, lost his job after winning just three of eight Tests - a 37.5% win-percentage.

The 57-year-old Du Plessis, who was known in his playing days as the ‘Prince of Wings’, played 12 Tests for the Springboks between 1982 and 1989.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE