Rugby:The South Africa Rugby Union have named Heyneke Meyer the new head coach of the Springboks following a meeting today in Cape Town. The 44-year-old's appointment was ratified this morning following talks yesterday, and the Blue Bulls rugby executive will now begin preparing for his first match in charge, against England in Durban on June 9th.
“Having been involved with the Blue Bulls for so long, I’ve experienced first hand how passionate South African rugby supporters are,” said Meyer. “I know the importance of rugby in the South African psyche and will do everything in my power to ensure the Springboks remain among the pace setters of world rugby.
“I’m very happy to accept this enormous honour and massive responsibility.”
Meyer, who takes over from Peter de Villiers, coached the Blue Bulls to Super 14 glory in 2007, having won the Absa Currie Cup in 2002, 2003, 2004 and a share of the crown in 2006. Meyer left to take over as Leicester Tigers coach in 2008, but was in England only a short time, taking compassionate leave six months into his reign to attend to family matters back home and then handing in his resignation and returning to the Bulls in an executive role.
He also has national team experience as an assistant to both Nick Mallett and Harry Viljoen. His name has previously been mentioned in relation to the top job, but Meyer admitted he had felt the need to wait.
“The first time I felt I still had things to achieve at the Bulls, and the second time it was decided to appoint someone else,” he said. “I’d like to thank my family and the Blue Bulls Rugby Union for their unwavering support over the past decade. I hope to keep the country’s rugby supporters united behind the Boks.”
Yesterday, the Blue Bulls had voiced their reluctance to see Meyer leave, but SARU chief executive Jurie Roux revealed there was an exit clause in his contract which made the process simple.
“The Blue Bulls wished to retain his services but his contract contains an exit clause which has been exercised; very few people can resist the call when your country says it needs you,” said Roux. “The Springboks are the heartbeat of rugby in South Africa and it was paramount to get the best possible candidate to coach the team going forward. We believe we have done that.”
Ireland forwards coach Gert Smal was linked to the position, but this month agreed to continue in his role with the IRFU.
Commenting on the appointment today, he said he “was deeply honoured to be linked to the position” and it was something he “would have thought about very carefully” had an approach been made.
“A big part of that consideration would be my connection to the Ireland team as well as my desire to see out my contract as I am very happy here,” he added. “Declan and the IRFU showed great faith in bringing me here and it has been a wonderful experience from a professional point of view, as well as for my family.
"There is still such great potential and opportunities for the Ireland team and I have great faith in the players that we can achieve things together with the coaching staff.
"I have not given up on the possibility of coaching my country in the future, but my focus now is on Ireland and on our first game in The RBS 6 Nations Championship."
