by Pete South | Rassie Erasmus insists he isn’t interested in succeeding Peter De Villers as the new South Africa head coach, saying he “definitely isn’t available†for the job.
Erasmus joined De Villiers’ back room staff during the World Cup on a temporary basis, and has been touted as a possible replacement for the job, but says he has no interest in taking up the role, instead opting to continue his work as Director of Rugby at Western Province and helping the Springboks during the 2015 World Cup in England.
“I am definitely not available for the Springbok job,” said Erasmus. “I would have been involved at the 2007 tournament already, but things turned out differently then. I had the chance now and really wanted to help win the cup. Unfortunately, it did not work out that way. I am not interested in getting directly involved with the coaching of the Boks, but rather help them on a technical basis once more in 2015.”
De Villiers is expected to vacate the position following an ultimately disappointing World Cup that saw the Springboks exit the tournament at the hands of Australia following an equally poor Tri Nations tournament.
One man who has left the door open to coaching the national side is Stormers coach Allister Coetzee, who was keen to keep his options open for the future.
“I am contracted until the end of 2012 with WP. I would really like to win silverware with Western Province,” he commented when asked about the possibility of taking up the challenge of coaching the Springboks.
Coetzee helped South Africa to glory at the 2007 tournament along with Erasmus, and is considered the favourite for the role after a number of high profile names including former coach Jake White ruled themselves out of the running.