/ 8 September 1997

McIntosh possible for ‘Bok job

MONDAY, 10.15AM:

NATAL and former Springbok coach Ian McIntosh had no comment on speculation that he might apply for the job as a succesor to fired Springbok coach Carel du Plessis.

Du Plessis was fired by the South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) after he refused to step down when asked to do so in a Sarfu executive meeting on Friday.

Front-runner for the job is likely to be former Springbok and Western Province number eight and Boland coach Nick Mallett.

Former Springbok coach Andre Markgraaff, who resigned as coach after making racist remarks, is is likely to apply for the job. Current rumours are that Markgraaff might be returned as a technical advisor – the position which Du Plessis held before he was hired as national coach.

Meanwhile, McIntosh did not rule out possibilty that he might apply for the job. He said he had “a few things to sort out before I decide.”

Du Plessis said he will take a few days to iron a few things. “I have a number of options opened to me,” he said. He said one of the options meant he might stay in rugby.