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Cape Town - It is believed that Allister Coetzee’s explosive letter to the SA Rugby top brass almost cost him his job in Japan.
In January, Coetzee sent a 19-page document via his legal representatives to SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux in a bid to show that almost all of the problems during his two-year tenure were due to external factors.
READ: Coetzee lays into SA Rugby in sensational letter
In the letter, Coetzee in particular hit out at the appointment of Rassie Erasmus as SA Rugby’s director of rugby.
Coetzee said it was “shocking” that he was being used as a “ceremonial” coach that must report to Erasmus, who Coetzee “with respect” described as “less competent”.
Coetzee won only 11 of his 25 Tests in charge of the Boks and was eventually relieved of his duties in February, with Erasmus last week confirmed as the new national coach.
When it became clear that Coetzee would lose his job as Springbok coach, he was linked with the head coaching role at Japanese club Canon Eagles.
According to Netwerk24, Coetzee will be named head coach of the Canon Eagles in April, but his letter to SA Rugby almost put a spanner in the works.
The Afrikaans website is reporting that the Japanese club was “uncomfortable” after he sent the explosive letter to SA Rugby.
It is believed that Coetzee had to fly to Tokyo to “save” his job at the Canon Eagles.
Coetzee previously coached the Kobelco Steelers in Japan before becoming Springbok coach in 2016.
