SA sport’s worst kept secret – Allister Coetzee named Springbok head coach

From Sport24

Johannesburg – SA Rugby has assembled a vastly experienced team management to assist new Springbok head coach Allister Coetzee with the core duties in preparing the team for the next four years.

Former Springbok Sevens captain Mzwandile Stick will join Johann van Graan as assistant coach, with Ian Schwartz carrying on as team manager.

Van Graan is retained in his role as assistant, while Stick joins the coaching staff after a stellar playing career with the Springbok Sevens, where he was the captain and also a member of the team that won the World Series title in the 2008/09 season. Last year, Stick coached Eastern Province to the Provincial Under-19 title.

Allister Coetzee looks on after being unveiled as the South Africa Springboks' new rugby coach in Randburg, outside Johannesburg, April 12, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
Allister Coetzee looks on after being unveiled as the South Africa Springboks’ new rugby coach in Randburg, outside Johannesburg, April 12, 2016. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

The Springboks’ strength and conditioning will fall under Dr Warren Adams, while the medical team will consist of Dr Jerome Mampane and physiotherapists Vivian Verwant and Tanu Pillay.

The experienced Verwant, who has been part of the Springbok management since 2007, is retained in his position and he will be joined by Pillay, who has done duty with the Springbok Women’s and the Sevens Women’s teams for a number of years.

Adams and Mampane join the Springboks after performing similar roles for the Junior Springboks the past three years.

Three experienced members complete the backroom staff in JJ Fredericks (logistics), Rayaan Adriaanse (media) and Annelee Murray (PR), all of whom bring with them many years of experience in their respective fields at international level.

“These are people who are not only dedicated and passionate, but vastly experienced,” said Coetzee.

“Johann, Ian, Vivian, JJ, Rayaan and Annelee have all been involved with the Springboks before and bring with them a wealth of experience, while Warren, Jerome and Tanu have all worked with other national teams before.

“By involving experienced people, and combined with the stellar work done already by the Rugby Department in planning for the season, we’ll hit the ground running when we first assemble.”

SA Rugby also confirmed that Coetzee will be able to call on the assistance of consultants when the need arises during his tenure.

The Southern Kings’ Dr Conrad von Hagen, will fill in as team doctor during the June series against Ireland, while Mampane is with the Junior Springboks at the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Manchester. Mampane will join the Springboks in time for the Castle Lager Rugby Championship.

Springbok team management is: 

Head coach: Allister Coetzee

Assistant coach (backline): Mzwandile Stick

Assistant coach (forwards): Johann van Graan

Team manager: Ian Schwartz

Team doctor: Dr Jerome Mampane / Dr Conrad von Hagen (Southern Kings)

Strength and Conditioning coach: Dr Warren Adams

Physiotherapist: Vivian Verwant

Physiotherapist: Tanu Pillay

Logistics manager: JJ Fredericks

Media manager: Rayaan Adriaanse

PR manager: Annelee Murray

Sport24

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