Cape Town - The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has reportedly agreed to extend Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer's contract.
Local media reports on Wednesday indicated that Meyer’s contract has already been extended by another four years until after the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
When contacted by Sport24 on the matter, SARU responded with the following statement:
“It is SARU policy to only make announcements on the contractual arrangements of key employees when there is something to announce. The contractual position of the Springbok coach is unchanged," said a SARU spokesperson.
Meyer was also reluctant to comment when probed on the matter after naming his team for this weekend's Test against Argentina.
“I said I want to serve and make a difference. If you ask every single guy on the street they would say I make a difference but in a negative way. The only thing I worry about is not the next four years, it’s the next four minutes," he said at a press conference in Durban on Wednesday.
"I think I know what it takes to win, that’s my job. I think we can turn it (the team's current fortunes) around so I’ll take it day by day. I’ve always been proud to coach the Boks. It’s the biggest achievement of my life and what must happen must happen. I love this country, I’m a proud South African, so where I can serve and make a difference then I will.
"With the systems in place, I believe that South Africa can be invincible if we work as a team. The Springbok team has never been about me, but I am willing to fight until the end.”
The Bok mentor has been under fire this week following South Africa’s first ever loss to Argentina which saw them finish last in the Rugby Championship and slip from second to fifth in the World Rugby rankings.
Meyer has also copped criticism for failing to transform the national side, with five black players reportedly having approached trade union Cosatu over being sidelined in matches.
Western Cape Cosatu chairperson Motlatsi Tsubane said two white Springboks had also “put their weight behind the matter” and felt not enough had been done to transform the team.
Meyer has coached the Boks in 40 Tests, winning 26 (losing 12 with 2 drawn) of those for a 65% win ratio.
Only Kitch Christie (100%), Nick Mallett (71%) and Jake White (66%) achieved greater success at the helm of the Boks.