South African Rugby
SARU closes in on coaching team
ESPNscrum Staff
April 15, 2012
South Africa's Victor Matfield counts his blessings after being named in the side for their Pool D clash with Samoa, North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand, September 29, 2011
Could Victor Matfield make a sensational comeback to the Springboks? © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Victor Matfield | Heyneke Meyer
Teams: South Africa

The South African Rugby Union has confirmed that they have been given permission to approach four of the Bulls' coaches with a view to them joining Heyneke Meyer's backroom staff in the national side.

It is expected that the SARU will announce the structure of Meyer's coaching set-up imminently with a press conference due to be held on Sunday with an update on the situation. Supersport reports that the four coaches in Meyer's sights are forwards coach Johan van Graan, fitness coach Basil Carzis, defence coach John McFarland and backs coach Ricardo Loubscher. News24.com claims that the Bulls will receive in the region of R1.5m (£120k) in compensation.

South Africa are set to play a three-Test series against England in June and time is running out for the SARU to assemble their coaching team ahead of Stuart Lancaster's team's visit. If the SARU manage to secure the quartet of coaches then it will leave the Bulls with a hugely depleted team in the middle of the 2012 Super Rugby season.

And other reports coming from South Africa suggest that Meyer wants now retired lock Victor Matfield to pull on his boots again and captain the side against England this summer. Matfield is currently working for South African television but Rapport claims that Meyer is keen on convincing the veteran lock into a sensational comeback.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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