After his first seven tests in charge, Heyneke Meyer has a 42% win ratio. This is the worst return of any Springbok coach since Carel du Plessis in 1997 with 37%. By comparison, Peter de Villiers boasted a win ratio of 71% after his first seven games in charge, having beaten the All Blacks in New Zealand for the first time since 1998.
Meyer’s draw against England was the first time the Boks had failed to beat them since 2006, while the draw against Argentina was the first time in history that the Springboks had failed to beat the Pumas. Not only did De Villiers have a much better start, but he kept us entertained at press conferences.
Peter de Villiers’ first 7 games
Played 7 Won 5 Lost 2 – Win percentage of 71%
Wales (Bloemfontein): WON 43-17
Wales (Pretoria): WON 37-21
Italy (Cape Town): WON 26-00
All Blacks (Wellington): LOST 08-19
All Blacks (Dunedin): WON 30-28
Wallabies (Perth): LOST 09-16
Argentina (Johannesburg): WON 63-09
Heyneke Meyer’s first 7 games
Played 7 Won 3 Draws 2 Losses 2 – Win percentage 42%
England (Durban): WON 22-17
England (Johannesburg): WON 36-27
England (Port Elizabeth): DRAW 14-14
Argentina (Cape Town): WON 27-06
Argentina (Mendoza): DRAW 16-16
Wallabies (Perth): LOST 19-26
All Blacks (Dunedin): LOST 11-21
Peter de Villiers’ next 15 games
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