/ 8 August 2000

BELEAGURED MALLETT ‘HAS FULL SUPPORT’

THE SA Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) has thrown its weight behind beleaguered Springbok rugby coach Nick Mallett, dismissing a notion that he has been given an ultimatum to win the team’s next two games. Former Western Province coach, Harry Viljoen, was touted as Mallett’s possible successor in the wake of the Springboks’ four successive Test defeats. However, after the customary end of tour meeting between Mallett, Springbok team manager Gideon Sam and the Sarfu management committee in Johannesburg on Monday, Sarfu said it was satisfied with Mallett’s interim report and that the coach and his team have the full support of the management committee. Viljoen has also dismissed as speculation the rumours that he could succeed Mallett as national coach. – Reuters