Australia and New Zealand must have breathed a collective sigh of relief as SARU decided to keep the Springbok coaching team intact. The decision emerged after today’s review of the shocking performance of the national side under Peter de Villiers, Dick Muir and Gary Gold.
“The committee’s focus was very much on examining areas where we can assist the Springbok team and coach in making sure they arrive at the field in the best possible state of preparation,†said James Stoffberg, chairman of the review committee. “We reviewed the season to date and have discussed options for assisting the team in those preparations. It was a frank meeting but a positive one. The results of the Springbok team are of paramount importance to our organisation and everyone in the room was committed to providing the team with the best conditions in which to succeed.â€
Peter de Villiers said: “It was a very helpful process as we have thoroughly reviewed all our systems. We know there are areas in which we must improve and we will be focusing on those in the remainder of the season.â€
Oregan Hoskins said: “We are almost finished with our review. It was really advantageous. But we will treat the issue in confidence as it related to an employee. We are asking people to give us a chance to digest what happened here today.†When asked whether the Springbok coaches’ jobs were safe Hoskins simply said: “I’m not going to answer that, sorry.â€