Ex-Bok coach gets role at Maties

Cape Town - Former Springbok coach Andre Markgraaff has been appointed in an advisory capacity at the Maties Rugby Club.

According to Netwerk24, part of Markgraaff’s roles will be to look after coaching, player development and recruitment.

Markgraaff, 59, coached the Springboks between 1996 and 1997, but was forced to quit after making controversial racial statements.

The appointment of Markgraaff follows the announcement that Hawies Fourie will be the new Maties head coach from November 1 this year.

He is the current head coach of Griquas and also served as backline coach to the Cheetahs in Super Rugby.

Fourie will replace Chris Rossouw as head coach at Maties, with the latter remaining part of the coaching team.

After winning the first three editions of the Varsity Cup (2008, 2009 and 2010), Maties have struggled to stamp their authority on the competition in recent years, and Fourie's job will be to make them a powerhouse once more.