Allister Coetzee
It may come in the form of another franchise gig, but there are a number of critics who feel that Allister Coetzee’s return to South Africa will be as Springbok coach.
Coetzee jets off to Japan on 5 July where he will take charge of the Kobe Kobelco Steelers, but he has not ruled out a move back to South Africa at a later stage, saying that he was “far from done” with his coaching career.
Current Bok coach Heyneke Meyer is out of contract at the end of the year after completing what would have been four full international season, and whether or not he gets another 4 years will be largely determined by how the men in green and gold go at this year’s World Cup.
Coetzee said on Tuesday that the opportunity to coach his country was something that he had always thought about.
“I would love to do it,” Coetzee said.
“Definitely. Like any young player aspires to become a Springbok. I’ve got a passion for the Springbok side and I had a taste from 2004 to 2007 with Jake (White, as backline coach), which was special.
“If it’s meant to be I will grab the opportunity with both hands and it would be a proud moment for me in my life and my career to do that.”
Coetzee added that he had not put a time frame on when he thinks he will get his opportunity.
“While that’s still a dream, if it means I have to go via Japan then I’ll do that. I think the focus is on my next chapter in Japan and to do my job there to the best of my ability. I have not put a time frame on it to chase it by a certain time; those are things that are not determined by me.”
Turning his attention to this year’s Springbok venture, Coetzee was backing Meyer’s charges to go the distance.
“We’ve got a team that can go all the way and I think we’ve got a good coach in Heyneke Meyer who will make sure that everything is in place,” said Coetzee.
“One thing that is out of everyone’s control is a bit of luck. I’ve seen World Cups won and lost because of that… hopefully this year we have that luck. I think we have the players and the team and the experience in terms of the pack.”
Sport24