Viljoen doesn't impress Mains
January 2, 2001

Cats coach Laurie Mains does not believe Harry Viljoen has improved the standing of Springbok team.

The Sunday Times reported that Mains had not been that impressed with Viljoen. "I'm sure Viljoen is learning, because he has only just come back into coaching," he said.

"But I thought Nick Mallett had finally got his act together with the Springboks when he was fired. From what I've seen, I don't believe that Viljoen has taken the team any further at all."

On the subject of the Super 12, Mains believes that the failure of the Lions to successfully defend their Currie Cup title would have no bearing on the Cats' chances. "It won't have any relevance," said the former Lions coach.

"The Lions made the semifinals this year, and played some good rugby along the way, but the whole environment in which we operated was seriously affected by the incident with the Luyts.

"The Cats players will go on a bit from where we were this year, but most of the other teams will as well. It's a bit early to say just how we'll get on."

Mains was also quoted as saying there was more depth in South Africa than in New Zealand. "There's more good teams (in SA). The top three provincial teams - Western Province, Natal and the Lions - would all be real challengers for the title if they competed in the NPC.

"Where there is more depth in South African rugby is among the middle of the road teams. They seem to have a lot more players of quality in some positions than there are here. What the South Africans can't seem to do is to get their act together and be a united rugby-playing country, as we are here."

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