Cape Town - Former Stormers coach Allister Coetzee’s name is increasingly being linked with the Springbok head coaching job.
If recent media reports are to be believed, then current coach Heyneke Meyer’s job is under threat.
Meyer’s fate will be decided at the South African Rugby Union’s General Council on December 11, and while it was initially reported that his contract would be extended, he has seemingly lost the vote of the majority of South Africa’s provincial unions.
Local bookmakers, Sportingbet.co.za, recently suspended betting on the next Springbok coach.
Coetzee, a former Springbok assistant coach, was initially backed at 8/1 but odds on him were constantly cut to 6/1, 5/1, 3/1 and finally 9/4.
After a flurry of bets in the last 48 hours, betting has been suspended.
Coetzee currently coaches Japanese outfit, the Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers, but reportedly has an exit clause in his contract for a high-profile job.
According to Rugby365, Bok team manager Ian Schwartz - a permanent staff member of SARU - has denied that he will travel to Japan to speak to Coetzee regarding the Bok head coaching role.
Other names that also featured prominently on the bookmakers’ list are former All Blacks coach John Mitchell and ex-Sharks mentor John Plumtree. Both of them are also linked to the vacant Stormers coaching job.