Zeena Isaacs
26 August 2008
Johannesburg — SOUTH African Rugby Union (Saru) president Oregan Hoskins yesterday put an abrupt halt to speculation about the uncertainty of embattled Springbok coach Peter de Villiers' position after the team's Tri-Nations hopes went up smoke last weekend and calls for the coach's head intensified.
Hoskins' comments were made shortly after De Villiers backed his team publicly in the face of fierce criticism and accepted full responsibility for their dismal performance in the series up to now.
The Springboks have won only one out of five Tri-Nations games up to now and even a win with a bonus point against Australia this weekend would not be able to lift them off the bottom of the log table.
Hoskins' defensive approach appears to have been triggered by reports yesterday suggesting it would cost SA Rugby -- Saru's commercial arm -- about R5m to sack De Villiers and that, according to his contract, he could only be released for poor performance at the end of next year.
Ironically, Hoskins was forced to mend his tarnished relationship with the national coach over the past few months after admitting that transformation had played a role in De Villiers getting the job.
"I would like to make it clear that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, his management team and playing squad have my unequivocal backing and that of Saru's presidents' council and of the board of SA Rugby. "
Hoskins said: "Although we share and understand the frustration and disappointment of supporters, speculation about the coach's future is pointless."
He stressed that De Villiers' position was not under threat and that even a post mortem of the Tri-Nations series in the next few weeks would not change that.
"Let me put an end to speculation that the post Tri-Nations review will in some way be pivotal to the future of the coach," Hoskins said. "That is not the case. It is an entirely normal quarterly review such as every Springbok coach has undergone. I would like to underline that Peter's future is secure.
"We are not in the business of sacking Springbok coaches within three months of them playing their first match."
Hoskins echoed De Villiers and Springbok lock and captain Victor Matfield's sentiments after last Saturday's 27-15 defeat against Australia in Durban that they were much more disappointed about their poor performance in the series than SA 's rugby faithful.
De Villiers stood admirably behind his team at yesterday's media briefing in Johannesburg and said it was unfair to pin the blame on the players for their poor performance and that he accepted full responsibility.
"It is fair that the blame lies with the coach," said De Villiers. "If a company closes the MD is held responsible. So it is right. But we had a good video session today and there were some harsh words exchanged. But I am willing to accept the blame in the best interests of the team. We know our backs are against the wall and the players know they are under pressure."
He also said he understood the frustrations expressed by the fans and said they would do everything in their power to restore some pride this weekend, especially after his team were booed off the field last weekend.
"We do not go out there to lose games," said De Villiers.
"We know the people are angry and rightfully so because we should have won the last three games. We had the opportunities to do so. But we allowed them to slip away."
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