PETROS AUGOUSTI, Johannesburg | Friday
SHARKS coach Rudolph Straeuli was named as Harry Viljoen’s Springbok replacement at a press conference in Johannesburg on Friday.
Viljoen quit as Bok coach in January following the team’s worst showing since isolation.
Straeuli pipped Cardiff coach Rudy Joubert to the post after a lengthy process, where the two were short-listed by the South African Rugby Football Association.
”I consider it a great honour to coach the Springboks and a humbling experience to follow in the footsteps of coaching legends such as Danie Craven and Kitch Christie,” Straeuli said in a statement issued from New Zealand where he is on tour with the Sharks.
”But I can say that I am passionate about restoring a winning culture to the Springboks. It is very important to me that we regain the respect of world rugby.”
SA Rugby Managing Director, Rian Oberholzer, announcing Straeuli’s appointment on behalf of the board, said: ”The board is convinced that Rudolph Straeuli has all the attributes required for this challenging and demanding position.”
Straeuli’s appointment will take effect from 1 April and according to Oberholzer the three-year contract was the minimum period needed for a coach to assert his presence on the team.
Oberholzer said he believed Straeuli would lead the Springboks forward this year and he pleaded for the media and the public to be patient with the new coach.
”It’s important for people who hold rugby close to their heart to be positive and put South African rugby first.
”We will meet with Rudolph in due course to discuss the terms of the appointment as well as put in place a plan of action in preparation for the incoming tours by Wales, Argentina and the Pacific Warriors, in June and July, as well as the Vodacom Tri-Nations in July and August”.
Oberholzer, flanked by six board members, said it was important that Straeuli stays with the Sharks until the end of their Australasian tour.
”It would have been ideal if he could have started straight away but the Super 12 is also important and we will allow him to assist the Sharks as much as possible.”
Oberholzer also said that while Straeuli would be able to give input on a support staff, SA Rugby Football Union would also be in the loop.
Straeuli led the Sharks to the Super 12 final last year, where they lost to the Brumbies in Canberra and followed that up by leading his team to the Currie Cup final, where they again lost, this time to Western Province.
Straeuli was part of the Springbok rugby squad that lifted the World Cup in 1995, playing second fiddle to Mark Andrews, who was selected as eighthman for the semi-final win over France and the final victory over the All Blacks.
Straeuli played 10 tests for the Springboks between 1994 and 1995. – Sapa