Share

Alexander: No hard feelings between SA Rugby and Coetzee

Cape Town - There are no hard feelings between SA Rugby and former Springbok coach Allister Coetzee.

This assurance was given by SA Rugby president Mark Alexander following the confirmation that the organisation and Coetzee had parted ways last Friday.

Before his dismissal, Coetzee expressed his unhappiness in a scathing e-mail to the rugby governing body but it seems it won’t be held against him.

“No-one at SA Rugby is angry at Allister. If a prospective employer contacts us, we’ll give him a good reference. At SA Rugby, we never give negative feedback about former Springbok coaches,” Alexander said in an interview with Netwerk24.

Meanwhile, the Afrikaans website also reported on Sunday that it cost SA Rugby R1.8 million to relieve Coetzee of his duties.

Having originally been appointed for a four-year contract, Coetzee's time at the helm lasted half of that - or 25 Tests in charge.

Of those 25 matches, the Boks won 11, lost 12 and drew 2, which translates into a 44% win-record.
That gives Coetzee the fourth worst record of the 12 national coaches who have taken up the role since readmission back in 1992.

READ: STATS: How Allister Coetzee's tenure stacks up

It also doesn't appear that Coetzee will be unemployed for long, with reports suggesting he'll be unveiled as Japanese club Canon Eagles' coach as early as this week.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1118 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1284 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 1979 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE