The executive council of the SA Rugby Union apparently became concerned at the amount of freelancing the Springbok management team did last year, and asked president Oregan Hoskins to convey the message that it was time the World Cup became their priority.

“We’ve made a blanket request that they focus on the World Cup and that none of the management team do any work outside their obligations to Saru,” said chief executive Jurie Roux this week. “They can still do some things in their free time, but they need to get consent for any outside work they want to do.”

The directive will affect forward coach Gary Gold and, particularly, backline coach Dick Muir.

Gold has media commitments with SA Rugby Magazine and the website rugbyiq.com.

Muir, whose Bok backline was heavily criticised for being on the blunt side last year, is involved with the Lions and the Investec International Rugby Academy.

Some members of Saru’s executive council have voiced concerns at the potential for conflict of interests in Muir’s case.

The feeling is that by holding a position with the Springboks and the Lions it could be easier for him to poach internationals from other unions for the Johannesburg team.

Saru’s clampdown could well end up with Muir leaving his director of rugby post at the Lions.

Lions president Kevin de Klerk said: “From the Lions side, we would concur (with Saru) 100%. Dick has been valuable for us, but we also appreciate he needs to be fully involved with Saru.

“I can see the necessity of being fully involved at that level, looking at the time and commitment John Mitchell has put into the Currie Cup and Super rugby. I feel that commitment can only be greater for a national coach.”

Asked if Muir would still have his job after the World Cup, De Klerk was noncommittal.

“We’ll always try to do the right thing by him. We feel we must not put him in a position where he has to make a choice of allegiances,” said De Klerk.

“But we’re going to sit down and try to find a solution over the next week or so because so much can happen in a year.”

Muir could not be reached for comment, but it is understood he declared his various jobs with Saru and could dig in his heels about his employers suddenly deciding he has to ditch them.

Putting those jobs on hold would also result in him being in breach of contract or being paid for work he was not doing.

In addition, his various employers could terminate his contracts in view of his pending absenteeism, which would leave him without a job after the World Cup.

By SIMNIKIWE XABANISA