No need for fools to rush in to find best Bok coach

Let us be inspired by the things we have done right because there is little doubt that South Africa has the capacity to rule the world

THE next few weeks are going to be crucial to the SA Rugby Union, for decisions made now will effectively decide the future success of Springbok rugby.

Saru must appoint Peter de Villiers' successor and it is vital they get the process and the person correct.

Too many times in the past mistakes have been made, often because the procedure was too hasty, to the detriment of the national team's performance. Coaches were either too inexperienced, too caught up in provincial loyalties, too stubborn or too frail in the face of the pressures.

There have been too many compromises and, in the case of the outgoing incumbent, requiring more "management" than the team itself.

Fortunately, with the next test engagement not until mid-2012 - when England are due to herald a return to "old style" touring by playing a three-test series in South Africa - time is on the side of administrators, not known for making astute decisions.

SA Rugby needs to commit to "Mission Twickenham" and put in place a plan and the people for the next quadrennial with the ultimate goal of the Springboks winning the Rugby World Cup in London in 2015.

They need to study what has been successful in the past and from there develop a profile of the mission commander - the Springbok coach - whose task it will be to single-mindedly plan a campaign that will net the third Webb Ellis trophy.

Fortunately, there are some excellent examples to guide members of Saru's executive council.

There was, for instance, the management model that worked so well around Francois Pienaar's 1995 champions - a highly respected former Springbok captain Morné du Plessis to deflect pressures from the coach by managing with dignity, respect and foresight; an experienced media man in Edward Griffiths who could anticipate and steer clear of pitfalls, and a coach, Kitch Christie, who was free to coach.

In 2007 there was Jake White's meticulous long-term planning, his commitment to his captain, his unwavering belief in the kind of player (big, fast and versatile) who could do the job in a winning game pattern with the goal, from the outset, of success in the World Cup.

Hopefully, too, members of Saru's Exco will bury their egos and dip into the deep well of experience available in SA rugby by involving John Smit, Victor Matfield, a Morné du Plessis, a Francois Pienaar, a Nick Mallett, a Heyneke Meyer, a Rassie Erasmus, a Rudolf Straeuli and, yes, a Peter de Villiers. Why not speak to members of the media given how many former coaches have met their Waterloo in dealing with the fourth estate?

Let's be informed of past mistakes, let's learn from them, but let us also be inspired by the things we have done right because there is little doubt that SA has the capacity to rule the world.

There is so much talent available that it took me no more than a few minutes to put together the following squad. How do you think they would do if they had to run out for a test match on Saturday?

1 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 3 Werner Kruger, 4 Juandré Kruger, 5 Gerhard Mostert, 6 Francois Louw, 7 Franco van der Merwe, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 9 Francois Hougaard, 10 Johan Goosen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 12 Juan de Jongh, 13 Johan Sadie, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 15 Jaco Taute.

Reserves: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Dean Greyling, 18 WP Nel, 20 Alistair Hargreaves, 21 Jano Vermaak, 22 Elton Jantjies.

This squad of 22 was pretty much top-of-the-head and does not include young Springboks such as Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis, Dean Greyling, Heinrich Brüssow, Willem Alberts, Andries Bekker, Flip van der Merwe, Ryan Kankowski, Ashley Johnson, Ruan Pienaar, Gio Aplon, Frans and Morné Steyn and Patrick Lambie, who will definitely still be available for the next World Cup. SA rugby just needs to find the right man for the job - even if that man turns out to be Eddie Jones or John Mitchell.