De Villiers new Bok coach

Peter De Villiers was today appointed as Springbok coach. He narrowly beat favourite Heyneke Meyer to the top job and replaces World Cup winner Jake White.

Oregan Hoskins confirmed that the appointment had not been made purely for rugby reasons.

“I want to be honest with the country,” said Hoskins.

“The appointment is not for rugby reasons alone. We understand the value of transformation and that’s why we feel this is a very important appointment.

“The President’s Council spent a lot of time in the meeting today discussing Heyneke. We don’t want to lose his experience and want to keep him involved.

“One possibility, and I must stress it’s just a possibility, is for Heyneke to become SA Rugby’s Director of High Performance. There’s been a call in the past for a position to be created that will benefit all SA Rugby coaches.”

SA Rugby MD Johan Prinsloo confirmed that the presidents council and the technical committee had agreed on the decision to appoint De Villiers.

“The technical committee was assembled to advise the presidents council on the selection of the Springbok coach.

“I can confirm that the recommendation from the committee was the same as the final decision.

“Peter has created history today. He has a proven track record and we trust he will have the support of the rugby fraternity as Springbok rugby enters a new phase.

“SARU is confident he will build on the momentum created by the World Cup win and it is a very important appointment for SA rugby.”

De Villiers felt privileged to have been awarded the job.

“It is a great privilege to be awarded this position, but I think the fact that I’m the first black coach must end now.

“Everybody will have an equal chance to play. If you are good enough and you have the talent, then you have every chance of playing for your country.

“When Jake came into the job in 2004, he never came into a winning culture. It would be stupid of me to reinvent the wheel.

“Any birth begins in tears, it’s how you grow that matters. I intend to be very open in the way I manage things and am confident I have the right people around me to be a success.”

Peter De Villiers Coaching CV

2008: Springboks
2007: Emerging Springboks [IRB Nations Cup – Winners]
2006: Springboks u21 [IRB World Championships – 2nd]
2005: Springboks u21 [IRB World Championships – Winners]
2004: Springboks u21 [IRB World Championships – 3rd]
2003: Valke\Falcons [Currie Cup]
2002: Valke\Falcons [Currie Cup]
1999: Springboks u19 [IRB World Championships – 3rd]
1998: Springboks u19 & Assistant coach WP Vodacom Cup
1997: Tygerberg [Club Rugby] & WP Disas
1996: Tygerberg [Club Rugby]