South Africa
Western Province call for 'drastic change' and back Coetzee for Boks job
ESPN Staff
December 1, 2015
Allister Coetzee
Allister Coetzee© (Photo by Shaun Roy/Gallo Images)

Western Province have set out their stall over just who should be the next Springboks coach saying "drastic changes" are needed in the set-up as they throw their weight behind Allister Coetzee's credentials.

Coetzee, who coached the Stormers for six years, has just started a new post with the Kobe Kobelco Steelers in Japan. But he has recently emerged as one of three main contenders for the top Boks job alongside current head coach Heyneke Meyer and Lions boss Johan Ackermann.

South Africa Rugby Union's general council meets on December 11 in Cape Town where they will vote on the issue of whether Meyer should stay. The 14 provincial unions get two votes each with SARU president Oregan Hoskins also getting one.

But it seems Meyer is unlikely to be able to rely on Western Province for their support with president Thelo Wakefield calling for Coetzee to be given the top job.

"Drastic changes are needed if we want to move South African rugby forward," Wakefield told Netwerk 24. "We must make South African rugby a force again. With a strong management team behind him, Allister can succeed as Springbok coach. He has extensive Super Rugby experience and was assistant coach to Jake White when we won the World Cup [in 2007]."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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