South Africa would consider foreign coach – SARU president

President of the South African Rugby Union (SARU), Oregan Hoskins, has admitted a foreign coach could be an option for the Springboks.

Heyneke Meyer announced he would be leaving the role of coach on Thursday, bringing an end to his time at the helm after almost four years.

The SARU president insists they will look for the best possible replacement, even if they come from abroad.

“A foreign coach is definitely an option. I think it is accepted global practice now for nations to appoint foreign coaches when they feel it is necessary and a foreign coach is the best man for the job,” said Hoskins.

“Of the 20 teams at the World Cup, 13 of them had foreign coaches. So it would be silly to rule out the possibility of contracting a foreign coach. It would be silly to say no to it.”

Allister Coetzee, who served as an assistant coach to Jake White between 2004 and 2007, has been linked to the position, but Hoskins said there is no rush to make an appointment.

“Coming into Cape Town I saw the newspaper billboards and I was surprised because you guys obviously know something that I don’t know,” he said.

“I don’t believe we should be hasty in appointing a new coach. It is something we need to take our time over and give some thought to.

“I don’t think that we will rush it so you can’t expect an announcement soon. I can tell you that Allister Coetzee hasn’t been appointed.”