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Meyer set to eclipse Jake

Cape Town - Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer could eclipse Jake White’s winning percentage at the Rugby Championship, starting in August.

Meyer currently has 10 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses for a 67% win percentage from his 15 Tests in charge, and has overtaken Peter de Villiers’ win percentage (63%: 30 wins, 18 losses from 48 games) to become the fourth most successful Springbok coach in terms of winning percentage in the modern era, behind Kitch Christie (100%), Nick Mallett (71%) and White (68%).

Although Meyer’s recent wins in the Incoming Series have been over what could be considered weaker teams in Italy (12th in the IRB rankings), Samoa (7th) and a Scotland team (9th) without their British and Irish Lions, the emphatic nature of the win over Samoa was a boost for Meyer’s team as he extended his unbeaten run to six consecutive games after ending the 2012 season with a rare undefeated tour of the northern hemisphere.

In defeating Italy and Scotland, South Africa also gained a psychological edge over their two pool rivals for the 2015 World Cup in England.

Meyer will be eyeing White’s record as he opens up his 2013 Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina in Bloemfontein on Saturday, August 17. (kick-off 15:00)

Heyneke Meyer’s record:

22 June 2013 - Springboks 56-23 Samoa – Loftus Versfeld - WIN
15 June 2013 - Springboks 30-17 Scotland – Mbombela - WIN
8 June 2013 – Springboks 44-10 Italy – Kings Park - WIN
24 November 2012 – England 15-16 Springboks – Twickenham - WIN
17 November 2012 - Scotland 10-21 Springboks – Murrayfield - WIN
10 November 2012 - Ireland 12-16 Springboks – Aviva Stadium - WIN
6 October 2012 – Springboks 16-32 All Blacks – FNB Stadium - LOSS
29 September 2012 – Springboks 31-8 Australia – Loftus Versfeld - WIN
15 September 2012 – All Blacks 21-11 Springboks – Forsyth Barr - LOSS
8 September 2012 – Australia 26-19 – Springboks - Patersons Stadium - LOSS
25 August 2012 – Argentina 16-16 Springboks – Estadio Malvinas - DRAW
 18 August 2012 – Springboks 27-6 Argentina – Newlands - WIN
23 June 2012 – Springboks 14-14 England – Nelson Mandela Bay - DRAW
16 June 2012 – Springboks 36-27 England – Coca Cola Park - WIN
9 June 2012 – Springboks 22-17 England - Kings Park - WIN

HAVE YOUR SAY: How do you think Heyneke Meyer's reign as Springbok coach compares to that of his predecessors Pieter de Villiers and Jake White, so far? Send your thoughts to Sport24!

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