Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Springbok coach Allister Coetzee says he wants to try and be a mentor to Mzwandile Stick despite the former backline coach being shifted out of the national side set-up in 2017.
Stick was Coetzee's backline coach throughout 2016 when the Boks won just four of their 12 Tests in the year.
That return almost cost Coetzee his job, but in the end Stick was made the scapegoat and he has since been reassigned to the SA U-20 side where he will be assisting Chean Roux.
But Coetzee, speaking from Johannesburg where the Boks are having a three-day training camp, still believes that Stick has a bright future.
"That's the reason I am in this position ... to make sure that he still grows as a coach," said Coetzee.
"I know he's got the ability and I know he's got the technical knowledge to become a good coach one day and he will be.
"There was a review, obviously, and the committee have decided what they have decided.
"Being the U-20 coach ... he might still develop from there. He's not lost to South African rugby and I think that's the most important thing."
Coetzee added that Stick was in a good frame of mind about the changes that came this year.
"I will always try ... whether I could be his mentor not ... I will always try and play that role," said Coetzee.
"He's happy where he is, he's accepted and he's just looking forward to adding value to our U-20s this year."
The Boks play their first Test of the year when they host France at Loftus on June 10.
