Erstwhile Springbok coach Nick Mallett is out of the running to become the new Bok coach, South African Rugby Football Union president Brian van Rooyen revealed on Wednesday when he announced the four-man Springbok coaching shortlist. He also denied that any discussions with Mallett had taken place.

Golden Lions vice-president Brian van Rooyen has been appointed as the new South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) president after Silas Nkanunu revealed at the union’s annual general meeting at Newlands on Friday that he would not stand for the post.

Newly appointed South African Rugby Football Union president Brian van Rooyen has promised sweeping changes to South African rugby, the most significant of which will be to abolish the controversial quota system in the near future.

Rudolf Straeuli’s tumultuous tenure as Springbok coach seems set to come to an acrimonious end on Thursday, with indications now that the former Bok No 8 will not resign from his post as was reported on Wednesday.

Erstwhile Springbok coach Nick Mallett is the collective choice from an impromptu survey on Thursday morning to take over from the under-fire Rudolf Straeuli if he is ousted from the hot seat during a meeting at Newlands on Thursday afternoon.

Rudolf Straeuli is still the Springbok coach. He will keep his job for at least another week after the board of SA Rugby deferred judgement on his position until next week. Straeuli was called before the board on Thursday to explain, among other things, issues pertaining to the now infamous Springbok World Cup training camp.

The King Commission of Inquiry into racism in South African rugby — set to take place early next year — may include a probe into revelations surrounding the training camp the Springboks attended before the Rugby World Cup. The request came from Minister of Sport and Recreation Ngconde Balfour on Wednesday.

Explosive KwaZulu-Natal batsman Lance Klusener seems to be back in favour with South African cricket selectors after he was on Thursday included in a 14-man squad from which a Rest of South Africa team will be chosen. The team is scheduled to play against the Standard Bank Cup Champions, Western Province.

Former South African cricket captain Kepler Wessels lashed out at the United Cricket Board on Wednesday, claiming the board had a vendetta against him after they demanded his immediate suspension. However, he welcomed his suspension pending an investigation into alleged racist remarks he had uttered.

When the Springboks returned from their disastrous European tour last year, coach Rudolf Straeuli and captain Corne Krige fired a confident warning to England. But on the eve of their departure for Australia, Straeuli did a complete about turn, admitting that England are the favourites to win the William Webb Ellis trophy.