Former Wallaby assistant coach Tim Lane is one of the leading contenders to replace Harry Viljoen as coach of the Sprinboks.
Viljoen resigned suddenly on the weekend claiming the pressure of the job was too much for him and his family.

Viljoen had only been in charge for 15 Tests and said he decided to get out now to give the incoming coach enough time to prepare for the 2003 World Cup.

Lane, who has been part of the Springboks coaching structure since last year, is one of the frontrunners for the job along with Western Province's Gert Smal and Sharks coach Rudolf Straeuli.

He switched his allegiance to South Africa last year after a season in France, drawing criticism from the Australian camp, which was concerned about him sharing secrets that helped the Wallabies to World Cup success in 1999.

As backline coach, Lane worked closely for three years with then Wallaby mentor Rod Macqueen.

Current Australian coach Eddie Jones said he was surprised by Viljoen's resignation, because the Springboks were "making progress".

"Even though they were probably disappointed with the way they played, they were putting in a lot of good methods and practices which were ultimately going to result in improvements," Jones said.

Ahead of next year's World Cup, Jones said the South Africans would be crazy not to fully utilise Lane's experience.

"It would most definitely be an advantage," Jones said today.

"The experience at this level is just so important and I think one of the reasons why Harry brought Tim into his original coaching staff is his experience he had in winning a World Cup.

"That sort of experience is something that's extremely important and I'm sure South Africa is going to benefit from it over the next few years."

Viljoen said the best man must be picked for the job, regardless of his nationality.

"It's a sensitive issue," Viljoen told planet-rugby.com.

"But rugby's a professional game. The best man should get the job."