I will take it from here. (c) Gallo
It is no longer much of a secret. Heyneke Meyer is set to be unveiled as the next Springbok coach on Friday.
The contenders for the vacant position all fell by the wayside in recent weeks.
And yes, it is a 'vacant' post - as Peter de Villiers was never going to be re-employed, even though SARU said he would be on the roster as the incumbent.
A SARU shortlist of "preferred candidates" containing the names of Meyer, De Villiers, Allister Coetzee and Gert Smal was drastically reduced ... till only one name remained.
It is Meyer, who was a late starter after SARU only managed to track him down earlier this month.
De Villiers was always a non-starter, even though SARU Chief Executive Jurie Roux had a courtesy meeting with the man who beat off Meyerâs challenge in such controversial fashion four years ago.
Coetzee, despite his public proclamations to the contrary, remained on SARU's wish list for some time and then dropped out early in the new year.
Then last week Smal got the phone call to let him know that he was no longer a front runner.
This website can now reveal that the reason that Meyer won the race is because his backroom staff is most attractive to SARU.
And, according to our sources, this is whom Meyer has lined up:
1. John McFarland:
The English-born defence coach and former London Irish head coach helped Meyer and the Blue Bulls win four Currie Cup titles and become the first South African side to win three Super Rugby titles. Rated as âthe best defensive coach in the world gameâ by his bosses in Pretoria, McFarland has spent 10 years working with the Bulls. He is set to work as a kicking coach at the Boks.
2. Jacques Nienaber:
The defence coach of the Stormers, who was responsible for making the Cape franchise the best defensive unit in the 2010 and 2011 seasons, joined up with the Boks at the World Cup last year - where the Boks' defensive record was second best in the pool stages, conceding just two tries (one each against Wales and Samoa), and another in the quarterfinal loss to Australia. He will be in charge of defence.
3. Rassie Erasmus:
Regarded as one of the most astute analysts of the game, Erasmus resigned from his role as 'Senior Professional Coach' at Western Province/Stormers. Although he was also linked to Nick Mallet and the England job, he has since emerged as the leading candidate to be a full-time Technical Director/analyst on Meyer's panel - similar to the role he played for both Jake White (2007) and Pieter De Villiers (2011) at the World Cup.
4. Paul Treu:
He made a seamless transition from being captain of the South African Sevens team the one season and coaching them the next! After a patchy start, Treu has developed into one of the best attacking masterminds in the abbreviated version of the game - taking the BlitzBokke to the IRB World Series crown in 2008/09. He has also managed to develop and nurture players through his Sevens structures. Treuâs visionary dedication has earned him a spot as the Bok backline coach.
5. Basil Carzis:
He was courted by Peter de Villiers ahead of last year's World Cup, but the fitness and conditioning expert looks set to follow Meyer to the Test arena after being part of their three successful Super Rugby campaigns and also winning four Currie Cup titles with the Bulls.
By Jan de Koning
Bok coach
Worst kept secret heyneke
Game plan? Bulls backs to the wall from 2002 or exciting Jake white 2004?
Back line to do it
15 - lambie, Steyn
Wings - Bjorn, Jp, mvovo, hougaard, JJ, habana
Centres - Sadie, Fourie, Steyn, Juan, Jean
10 - Morne, Goosen, jantjies, lambie
9- hougaard, Fourie, Sarel
loose - spies, burger, smith,brussouw, alberts, Josh
Locks - danie, Bekker, bakkies, juandre, elstadt
Props - gurthro, beast, jannie, Coenie, Kruger, deon
Hookers - chili, Bismarck
Overseas - yes or no
Gurthro, danie, bakkies, Mostert, Steyn, both fouries
captain - burger, spies, chili
Brenden Green Screen:
(S2) Heyneke Meyer to Harrison Ford
(S3) Heyneke like blue bull steak and braai
(S4) Lady Gaga like steak dresses
(S5) Lady gaga had single called Poker Face
(S6) Andries Bekker likes Poke her...
(S7) His ex does not like poker or the fact that Andries likes poker
(S8) Talking ex wives Bernie Eccelstone wife spent 12 Mill Pounds on their daughters wedding
(S9) Talking 12 Million, Tiger woods Ex wife bought a 12 million dollar mansion and then bulldozed it.
(S10) Talking bulldozers, it the nick name for Amr Hassan Zaki, number 1 striker for Wigan Athletic and Egypt
(S11) Zaki lived and grew up in Egypt
(S12) Egypt was where the Indian Jones movie The Last Crusade was based.
(S13) Indian Jones was acted by Harrison Ford.
Predictions:
AFCON Brenden PREDICTIONS
23 Jan. Ghana vs Botswana Ghana Win
25/01 Libya vs Zambia Zambia Win
25/01 Equatorial Guinea vs Senegal Senegal Win
26/01 Sudan vs Angola Angola Win
TEST CRICKET
25/01 Pakistan vs England 2nd Test England Win
ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP FOOTBALL
31/01 Swansea vs Chelsea Chelsea Win
31/01 Wolves vs Liverpool Liverpool Win
01/01 Bolton vs Arsenal Arsenal Win
01/01 Blackburn vs Newcastle Draw
AFCON BDUB PREDICTIONS
23 Jan. Ghana vs Botswana Ghana Win
25/01 Libya vs Zambia Zambia
25/01 Equatorial Guinea vs Senegal Draw
26/01 Sudan vs Angola Angola
TEST CRICKET
25/01 Pakistan vs England 2nd Test Draw
ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP FOOTBALL
31/01 Swansea vs Chelsea Draw
31/01 Wolves vs Liverpool Liverpool (I have to)
01/01 Bolton vs Arsenal Draw
01/01 Blackburn vs Newcastle Blackburn
AFCON Chris PREDICTIONS
23 Jan. Ghana vs Botswana Ghana Win
25/01 Libya vs Zambia Zambia
25/01 Equatorial Guinea vs Senegal Senegal
01 Sudan vs Angola Angola
TEST CRICKET
25/01 Pakistan vs England 2nd Test England
ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP FOOTBALL
31/01 Swansea vs Chelsea Chelsea
31/01 Wolves vs Liverpool Draw ( hope not though!)
01/01 Bolton vs Arsenal Arsenal
01/01 Blackburn vs Newcastle Newcastle
Heyneke Meyer: Return of the Messiah: Lets Talk Sports Episode 029
Part1
Audio
Video
Part2
Audio
Video
Part3
Audio
Video
In this show
Contacts Us
Welcome:
Bok coach: Meyer's dream team
Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:44
I will take it from here. (c) Gallo
It is no longer much of a secret. Heyneke Meyer is set to be unveiled as the next Springbok coach on Friday.
The contenders for the vacant position all fell by the wayside in recent weeks.
And yes, it is a 'vacant' post - as Peter de Villiers was never going to be re-employed, even though SARU said he would be on the roster as the incumbent.
A SARU shortlist of "preferred candidates" containing the names of Meyer, De Villiers, Allister Coetzee and Gert Smal was drastically reduced ... till only one name remained.
It is Meyer, who was a late starter after SARU only managed to track him down earlier this month.
De Villiers was always a non-starter, even though SARU Chief Executive Jurie Roux had a courtesy meeting with the man who beat off Meyerâs challenge in such controversial fashion four years ago.
Coetzee, despite his public proclamations to the contrary, remained on SARU's wish list for some time and then dropped out early in the new year.
Then last week Smal got the phone call to let him know that he was no longer a front runner.
This website can now reveal that the reason that Meyer won the race is because his backroom staff is most attractive to SARU.
And, according to our sources, this is whom Meyer has lined up:
1. John McFarland:
The English-born defence coach and former London Irish head coach helped Meyer and the Blue Bulls win four Currie Cup titles and become the first South African side to win three Super Rugby titles. Rated as âthe best defensive coach in the world gameâ by his bosses in Pretoria, McFarland has spent 10 years working with the Bulls. He is set to work as a kicking coach at the Boks.
2. Jacques Nienaber:
The defence coach of the Stormers, who was responsible for making the Cape franchise the best defensive unit in the 2010 and 2011 seasons, joined up with the Boks at the World Cup last year - where the Boks' defensive record was second best in the pool stages, conceding just two tries (one each against Wales and Samoa), and another in the quarterfinal loss to Australia. He will be in charge of defence.
3. Rassie Erasmus:
Regarded as one of the most astute analysts of the game, Erasmus resigned from his role as 'Senior Professional Coach' at Western Province/Stormers. Although he was also linked to Nick Mallet and the England job, he has since emerged as the leading candidate to be a full-time Technical Director/analyst on Meyer's panel - similar to the role he played for both Jake White (2007) and Pieter De Villiers (2011) at the World Cup.
4. Paul Treu:
He made a seamless transition from being captain of the South African Sevens team the one season and coaching them the next! After a patchy start, Treu has developed into one of the best attacking masterminds in the abbreviated version of the game - taking the BlitzBokke to the IRB World Series crown in 2008/09. He has also managed to develop and nurture players through his Sevens structures. Treuâs visionary dedication has earned him a spot as the Bok backline coach.
5. Basil Carzis:
He was courted by Peter de Villiers ahead of last year's World Cup, but the fitness and conditioning expert looks set to follow Meyer to the Test arena after being part of their three successful Super Rugby campaigns and also winning four Currie Cup titles with the Bulls.
By Jan de Koning
Bok coach
Worst kept secret heyneke
Game plan? Bulls backs to the wall from 2002 or exciting Jake white 2004?
Back line to do it
15 - lambie, Steyn
Wings - Bjorn, Jp, mvovo, hougaard, JJ, habana
Centres - Sadie, Fourie, Steyn, Juan, Jean
10 - Morne, Goosen, jantjies, lambie
9- hougaard, Fourie, Sarel
loose - spies, burger, smith,brussouw, alberts, Josh
Locks - danie, Bekker, bakkies, juandre, elstadt
Props - gurthro, beast, jannie, Coenie, Kruger, deon
Hookers - chili, Bismarck
Overseas - yes or no
Gurthro, danie, bakkies, Mostert, Steyn, both fouries
captain - burger, spies, chili
Brenden Green Screen:
(S2) Heyneke Meyer to Harrison Ford
(S3) Heyneke like blue bull steak and braai
(S4) Lady Gaga like steak dresses
(S5) Lady gaga had single called Poker Face
(S6) Andries Bekker likes Poke her...
(S7) His ex does not like poker or the fact that Andries likes poker
(S8) Talking ex wives Bernie Eccelstone wife spent 12 Mill Pounds on their daughters wedding
(S9) Talking 12 Million, Tiger woods Ex wife bought a 12 million dollar mansion and then bulldozed it.
(S10) Talking bulldozers, it the nick name for Amr Hassan Zaki, number 1 striker for Wigan Athletic and Egypt
(S11) Zaki lived and grew up in Egypt
(S12) Egypt was where the Indian Jones movie The Last Crusade was based.
(S13) Indian Jones was acted by Harrison Ford.
Predictions:
AFCON Brenden PREDICTIONS
23 Jan. Ghana vs Botswana Ghana Win
25/01 Libya vs Zambia Zambia Win
25/01 Equatorial Guinea vs Senegal Senegal Win
26/01 Sudan vs Angola Angola Win
TEST CRICKET
25/01 Pakistan vs England 2nd Test England Win
ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP FOOTBALL
31/01 Swansea vs Chelsea Chelsea Win
31/01 Wolves vs Liverpool Liverpool Win
01/01 Bolton vs Arsenal Arsenal Win
01/01 Blackburn vs Newcastle Draw
AFCON BDUB PREDICTIONS
23 Jan. Ghana vs Botswana Ghana Win
25/01 Libya vs Zambia Zambia
25/01 Equatorial Guinea vs Senegal Draw
26/01 Sudan vs Angola Angola
TEST CRICKET
25/01 Pakistan vs England 2nd Test Draw
ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP FOOTBALL
31/01 Swansea vs Chelsea Draw
31/01 Wolves vs Liverpool Liverpool (I have to)
01/01 Bolton vs Arsenal Draw
01/01 Blackburn vs Newcastle Blackburn
AFCON Chris PREDICTIONS
23 Jan. Ghana vs Botswana Ghana Win
25/01 Libya vs Zambia Zambia
25/01 Equatorial Guinea vs Senegal Senegal
01 Sudan vs Angola Angola
TEST CRICKET
25/01 Pakistan vs England 2nd Test England
ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP FOOTBALL
31/01 Swansea vs Chelsea Chelsea
31/01 Wolves vs Liverpool Draw ( hope not though!)
01/01 Bolton vs Arsenal Arsenal
01/01 Blackburn vs Newcastle Newcastle