France series to decide Bok coach’s fate?

Cape Town - South Africa’s three-Test series against France looks likely to be last chance saloon for Springbok coach Allister Coetzee.

Recent reports indicated that Coetzee would not be sacked before the start of the new international season.

He had no performance clause in his first year in charge which saw the Springboks win only four of 12 Tests.

However, according to Rapport, a performance clause will be added to Coetzee’s contract this year.

The three Tests against France will be taken into consideration, as well as 2016's results, the Afrikaans weekly reported on Sunday.

This means the Test series against France will be of utmost importance for Coetzee to retain his job, with a series loss likely to mean the end of the road for the 53-year-old.

There is, however, still no official comment from SA Rugby regarding Coetzee’s position.

In a press release issued on Friday, SA Rugby president said that all the work around the Springbok coach review process had been concluded, but that the union couldn’t make any comment on the process until all the contractual negotiations had been completed.

SA Rugby added that they "have to deal with all relevant matters before making any announcements on the outcomes, which will happen as soon as possible".

Earlier reports also indicated that it would have cost SA Rugby R13m to get rid of Coetzee after last season.

The Boks' horror 2016 season included a first ever loss to Ireland on home soil, losing away to Argentina, a 57-15 pummelling at home against the All Blacks, as well as going down to lowly Italy - also for the first time ever.

The first Test against France is scheduled for Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on June 10.

The second Test will take place at Kings Park in Durban on June 17, while the third and final match will be held at Ellis Park in Johannesburg (June 24).