South Africa
Heyneke Meyer steps down as South Africa coach
ESPN Staff
December 3, 2015
© Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer has stepped down with immediate effect, the South African Rugby Union has confirmed.

Meyer was appointed in January 2012 and led the Springboks to the Rugby World Cup semifinals, where they lost to eventual champions New Zealand.

However, the 48-year-old has decided to take himself out of the running to lead his country into the next World Cup and departs with a 66.7 per cent winning record.

"I have always put the Springboks first in my time as coach and since returning from England I have realised that as much as I believe I still have a lot to offer, the time has come for change," said Meyer. "My integrity has always been very important and I feel I can leave with my head held high. I've always maintained that my only motivation was to serve my country and to do what was best for the Springboks.

"I have greatly enjoyed my time as Springbok coach - although it has been highly pressured at times and especially tough on my family, and I would like to thank them for their unwavering support in the last four years.

"I have put my heart and soul into the job and did my very best. I believe that, overall, I leave the team with much to look forward to in 2016, with new structures in place to ensure the Springboks will remain competitive on the world stage."

The attention now shifts to who will replace Meyer with Allister Coetzee an early favourite. SARU CEO Jurie Roux will now start the search for Meyer's successor and will present the recruitment process to the next general council meeting on December 11-12. And Meyer believes whoever replaces him will have a great pool of talent to work with.

"The number of young players that have been blooded over the past four seasons, who chose to remain in South Africa, leave the team in a great position to move on in the next few years," Meyer added. "I would like to wish the next coach all the success in this wonderful position.

"The Springboks are a special team and carrying the hopes of a nation is a huge responsibility and great privilege. I realised that yet again with all the support I received from ordinary South Africans, both at the World Cup and upon our return to the country. Thank you to the countless faithful, positive and passionate supporters that have made my job as coach a joy.

"To everyone at SARU and for the hard work and commitment of my management and support team, I will be forever thankful. And finally to the players - you are ultimately the reason why I coach and you've enriched my life in the last four years."

SARU president Oregan Hoskins paid tribute to Meyer, saying: "We have reached a natural watershed in many ways with a significant number of senior players either retiring or moving overseas as well as the fact that our Strategic Transformation Plan is now in full swing.

"Heyneke gave his all for the Springboks and it was a great pleasure to work with such a passionate South African. There were many highlights during his time as coach and those are the moments we will remember.

"He also set very high standards of behaviour for himself, his management team and his players and he was and is a credit to South African rugby. I'm sure all my colleagues join me in wishing him the very best of luck in whatever coaching path his career now takes him."

© ESPN Staff

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