Bok squad selection a team effort

THE Springbok selection panel has had many incarnations.

It once had as many as seven members serving on it, which opened it up to ridicule.

The late television and radio pundit Zandbergh Jansen referred to them as “die sewe dwergies” (the seven dwarfs), while others, when the panel was reduced to three members, referred to it as the “three blind mice”.

When new Springbok coach Allister Coetzee assembles his first squad to play Ireland in a three-test series next month, he will have the assistance of Peter Jooste, the only man with the official title of selector.

Jooste and former Springbok coach Ian MacIntosh served as selectors under former Bok coaches Peter de Villiers and Heyneke Meyer, but under the new regime only one man will be allowed to whisper in Coetzee’s ear.

Coetzee and Jooste will work in consultation with the South African Super Rugby head coaches Nollis Marais (Bulls), Johan Ackermann (Lions), Franco Smith (Cheetahs), Gary Gold (Sharks), Deon Davids (Kings) and Robbie Fleck (Stormers).

“It will be a collaborative process between Allister, Peter and the franchise head coaches,” an insider who did not want to be named said.

“They will discuss the players’ form, injuries, strengths and weakness. How often they will meet or consult I don’t know.

“It is a better system because your coaches completely buy into it. In the past they might have felt left out of the process.

“They are ultimately the coaches responsible for developing players and it will help with scouting. By using the coaches it will streamline the entire process,” the insider insisted.

Coetzee indicated upon his official unveiling as Bok coach earlier in the week that despite his commitments in Japan with the Kobelco Steelers, he had kept up to date with developments in Super Rugby.

“It was easy enough. With modern technology it is easy to stay abreast of what is happening here.”

Coetzee, however, admitted that he was nowhere close to finalising the squad of players he would use to prepare for the tests against Ireland.

“There is a group of about 60 players out there. We have to whittle that down to around 30. I think we can select as many as 30 players.”

Meanwhile, SA Rugby’s elite committee, with among others James Stofberg, Francois Davids, Kevin de Klerk and Rassie Erasmus serving on it, was also tasked to recommend a national sevens selector as well as one for the national women’s team. Jooste’s responsibilities will include helping select the national U20 team.